Book description
A Must-Read at The New York Post and BookPage "This terrific book, about loss and family and the weight of history, is probably as close as I'll ever get to buying one of those picturesque Italian villas, and surely a wiser investment." --Jess Walter, author of Beautiful Ruins and The Angel of Rome From the bestselling author of The Last Painting of Sara de Vos, Dominic Smith's Return to Valetto tells of a nearly abandoned Italian village, the family that stayed, and long-buried secrets from World War II. On a hilltop in Umbria sits Valetto. Once a thriving village that survived centuries of earthquakes and landslides and became a hub of resistance and refuge during World War II, it has since been nearly abandoned, as residents sought better lives elsewhere. Only ten remain, including the widows Serafino--three eccentric sisters and their steely centenarian mother--who live quietly in their medieval villa. Then their nephew and grandson, Hugh, a historian, returns. But someone else has arrived before him, laying claim to the cottage where Hugh spent his childhood summers. The unwelcome guest is the captivating and no-nonsense Elisa Tomassi, who asserts that the family patriarch, Aldo Serafino, a resistance fighter whom her own family harbored, gave the cottage to them in gratitude. But like so many threads of history, this revelation unravels a secret--a betrayal, a disappearance, and an unspeakable act of violence--that has affected Valetto across generations. Who will answer for the crimes of the past? Dominic Smith's Return to Valetto is a riveting journey into one family's dark past, a page-turning excavation of the ruins of history, and a probing look at our commitment to justice in a fragile world. It is also a deeply human and transporting testament to the possibility of love and understanding across gaps of all kinds--even time.
Hobo Samurai
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
FLAK Angel
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats – this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. 🎉🔊 ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app.
Delicious Cupid
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Acetic Princess
🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Demo
Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Wolf Tribune
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
London Fox
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. 🎙️ The app's functionality is a true work of art – it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. 📚🎨 Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚 Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Blinker
Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Pyscho Hun
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Dahlia
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Stud Buster
This audiobook app is a true gem – it brings stories to life with every click. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
New Cycle
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. 💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧
Teeder
I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Eye Candy Kitten
🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats – this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. 🎉🔊 Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! 📱🔊 The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Mammoth 2
ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
xFRST
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. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is remarkable. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Ship Whip
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. 🔥 Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine – this app is my secret weapon! ✨📖 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. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Midnight Rider
💡 Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks – this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. 📱📖 Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization!
Wheels
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience.
Delirium
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings.
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