Book description
At the Hotel Balzaar, Marta's mother rises before the sun, puts on her uniform, and instructs Marta to roam as she will but quietly, invisibly--like a little mouse. While her mother cleans rooms, Marta slips down the back staircase to the grand lobby to chat with the bellman, study the painting of an angel's wing over the fireplace, and watch a cat chase a mouse around the face of the grandfather clock, all the while dreaming of the return of her soldier father, who has gone missing. One day, a mysterious countess with a parrot checks in, promising a story--in fact, seven stories in all, each to be told in its proper order. As the stories unfold, Marta begins to wonder: could the secret to her father's disappearance lie in the countess's tales? Book two in a trio of novellas bound by place and mood--with elegant line art by J lia Sard --The Hotel Balzaar masterfully juggles yearning and belief, shining light into every dark corner.SynopsisAn instant New York Times bestseller In a wise and magical follow-up to The Puppets of Spelhorst, Kate DiCamillo revisits the land of Norendy, where tales swirl within tales--and every moment is a story in the making. At the Hotel Balzaar, Marta's mother rises before the sun, puts on her uniform, and instructs Marta to roam as she will but quietly, invisibly--like a little mouse. While her mother cleans rooms, Marta slips down the back staircase to the grand lobby to chat with the bellman, study the painting of an angel's wing over the fireplace, and watch a cat chase a mouse around the face of the grandfather clock, all the while dreaming of the return of her soldier father, who has gone missing. One day, a mysterious countess with a parrot checks in, promising a story--in fact, seven stories in all, each to be told in its proper order. As the stories unfold, Marta begins to wonder: could the secret to her father's disappearance lie in the countess's tales? Book two in a trio of novellas bound by place and mood--with elegant line art by J lia Sard --The Hotel Balzaar masterfully juggles yearning and belief, shining light into every dark corner.
Biscuit Meg
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient!
Killah Goose
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes β options galore to suit everyone's preferences.
Lope Lope
Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Goldman
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π πͺ Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier β this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. πΌπ
Moonflower
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
Red Hot Kevorkian
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Darkside Isis
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
K-9
The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Fennel Dove
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Deano
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Hemlock
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
High Beam
πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ π The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. π±π The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Stickers
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Wildcat Talent
πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
PixelPioneer
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π
Tornado Maker
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Bit Sentinel
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer.
Lucky Aurora
π± My secret to staying well-read β this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! ππ± The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Cuff Queen
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§ The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
Dahlia Bumble
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
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