Book description
In this deliciously seductive account of an Italian neighborhood with a statue of the Virgin at one end of the street, a derelict bottle factory at the other, and a wealth of exotic flora and fauna in between, acclaimed novelist Tim Parks celebrates ten years of living with his wife, Rita, in Verona, Italy. Via Colombre, the main street in a village just outside Verona, offers an exemplary hodgepodge of all that is new and old in the bel paese, a point of collision between invading suburbia and diehard peasant tradition in a sometimes madcap, sometimes romantic always mixed-up world of creeping vines, stuccoed walls, shotguns, security cameras, hypochondria, and expensive sports cars. Tim Parks is anything but a gentleman in Verona. With an Italian-born wife, an Italian made family, and a whole Italian condominium bubbling around him, he collects a gallery full of splendid characters who initiate us into all the foibles and delights of life in provincial Italy. More than a travel book, Italian Neighbors is a sparkling, witty, beautifully observed tale of how the most curious people and places gradually assume the familiarity of home. Italian Neighbors is a rare work that manages to be both a portrait and an invitation for everyone who has ever dreamed about Italy.
Mirage
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven.
Tweety
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can 'read' while I work! I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
MindfulMingle
🚶♀️🌌 This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure – I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. 🏞️📖 The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Mr. Peppermint
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Fadey
No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! ⭐️ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! 🧹🏰 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Whip 2T
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. 🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
Thrasher
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Sloth
The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Disco Potato
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧
MuseMaster
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
Moxie
🔥 Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears – audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. 🎵📖 Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Disco Thunder
Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality.
Tin Mutt
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Granola
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
RedMouth
The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Killer Grenade
🏃♀️📚 Running with purpose – audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. 🏃♀️🎧 One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Pluto
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Necessary Momentum
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. 🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖
Moxie
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. 🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
BlacKitten
🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience