Book description
A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024'A fascinating look at the impact of country home-making on the lives and work of Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Rosamond Lehmann. It's beautifully written, gorgeously produced, absorbing and full of insight' Sarah Waters, GuardianIn Rural Hours, Harriet Baker tells the story of three very different women, each of whom moved to the countryside and was forever changed by it. We encounter them at quiet moments - pausing to look at an insect on the windowsill; jotting down a recipe; or digging for potatoes, dirt beneath their nails. Slowly, we start to see transformations unfold: Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Townsend Warner, and Rosamond Lehmann emerge before us as the passionate, visionary writers we know them to be. Following long periods of creative uncertainty and private disappointment, each of Baker's subjects is invigorated by new landscapes, and the daily trials and small pleasures of making a home; slowly, they embark on new experiments in form, in feeling and in living that would resonate throughout the rest of their lives. In the country, each woman finds her path: to convalescence and recovery; to sexual and political awakening; and, above all, to personal freedom and creative flourishing. In graceful, fluid prose, Baker vividly recreates these overlooked episodes, revealing how 'rural hours' defined the lives of three pioneering writers. In the end, she shows, their example is an invitation to us all: to recognize the radical and creative potential of rural places, and find new enchantment in the rituals of each day.'Warm, perceptive, eloquent ... Like Baker's protagonists in their countryside boltholes I felt "socketed" by this book. I know I'll return to it again and again' Lauren Elkin'A meditative exploration of renewal, visionariness, grievous loss, and love - cool and passionate, fragile and enduring' David Hayden
Fiend Oblivion
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Con Mammoth
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. 🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook!
Snowflake Pixie
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app – it's like being in the story. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Hobo Samurai
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. 🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight.
ThoughtTrail
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Hoboken Nightingale
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Clang Glyph
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. 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!
LunaStar
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧 Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
ThoughtTracer
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. 🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉
Gold Bentley
I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient.
Mother Night
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
Sir Shark
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Spooky Yellowjacket
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. 📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. 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.
Lady Fantastic
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever.
Succubus In Training
Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Fresh Peper
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
VenusLion
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips.
Raid Bucker
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my passport to countless stories. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch.
New Magoo
No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Audiobook journey simplified – this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Sloth
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant source of books. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
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