Book description
In her first book, the popular From the Front Porch podcast host and independent bookstore owner challenges the idea that loud lives are the ones that matter most, reminding us that we don't have to leave the lives we have in order to have the lives of which we've always dreamed. Can life be an adventure, even when it's just . . . ordinary?Annie Jones always assumed adulthood would mean adventure: a high-powered career; life in a big, bustling city; and travels to far-flung places she'd longed to see. But her reality turned out differently. As the years passed, Annie was still in the same small town running an independent bookstore -the kind of life Nora Ephron dreamed.During that time, she hosted friends' goodbye parties and mailed parting gifts; wrote recommendation letters and wished former shop staffers well. She stayed in her small town, despite her love of big cities; stayed in her marriage to the guy she met when she was 18; and she stayed at her bookstore while the world outside shifted steadily toward digital retailers. And she stayed loyal to a faith she sometimes didn't recognize.After ten years, Annie realized she might never leave. But instead of regret, she had an epiphany. She awakened to the gifts of a quiet life spent staying put.In Ordinary Time, Annie challenges the idea that loud lives matter most. Rummaging through her small-town existence, she finds hidden gifts of humor and hope from a life lived quietly. Staying, can itself be a radical act. It takes courage to stay in the places we've always called home, Jones argues, as she paints a portrait of possibility far away from thriving metropolises and Monica Gellar-inspired apartments.We've long been encouraged to follow our dreams, to pack up and move to new places and leave old lives-and past selves-behind. While there is beauty in these kinds of adventures, Ordinary Time helps us see ourselves right where we are: in the middle of messy, mundane lives, maybe not too far from where we grew up. We don't have to leave to find what we yearn-we can choose to stay, celebrating and honoring our ordinary lives, which might turn out to be bigger and better than we ever imagined.
Diamond Gamer
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is remarkable.
WittyWordsmith
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Lightening Trip
With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move – it's like having a tutor by my side. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Contrary Mary
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Diamond Gamer
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. 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.
Berry Succubus
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
Papa Smurf
ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Wild Hair
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life.
Instant Star
Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
Pogue
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Drift
Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. 💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖
Mum Mary
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Betty Cricket
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. 💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖 🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Spontan8ty
This app has revolutionized my daily routine – I can't imagine life without it. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
ByteBard
This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
Dandelion
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
Danger Menace
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app.
RiddleRover
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Ember Master
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. 🎉📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. 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.
Fire Feline
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
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