Book description
Simple Dreams - A Soulful Audio Journey with Linda Ronstadt
Listening to Simple Dreams is like stepping into a warm, sun-kissed room in Tucson and then soaring up the hill to the legendary Troubadour, all while being guided by one of the most iconic voices in American music. In this audiobook, Linda Ronstadt's own narration brings her memoir to life with the same intimacy and authenticity that made her hits unforgettable.
From the opening lines, Ronstadt invites you into her childhood world-filled with Gilbert & Sullivan, Mexican folk tunes, jazz riffs, and operatic flourishes-that shaped her early curiosity. Her voice carries a gentle reverence for those formative moments, making listeners feel as if they're hearing an old friend recounting treasured memories. The narrative rhythm mirrors the ebb and flow of a well-played song: it starts with quiet, reflective passages about family life, then builds into vibrant stories of the 1960s Southern California music scene.
One of the most compelling aspects is how Ronstadt weaves personal anecdotes with broader cultural history. She describes arriving in Los Angeles at the cusp of the folk-rock boom, her collaborations with future Eagles members, and her rise to become the decade's most successful female artist-all while maintaining a conversational tone that keeps you engaged. The audiobook format shines here: subtle pauses, inflections, and occasional laughter give depth to her storytelling, turning facts into lived experiences.
The narration also serves as a bridge between past and present. Ronstadt shares the stories behind beloved songs-Heart Like a Wheel, Blue Bayou, You're No Good-and explains how each track evolved from personal inspiration to chart-topping success. These insights feel like backstage passes, offering fans new appreciation for her artistry.
What makes this audiobook truly special is the seamless blend of music and memoir. Between chapters, you'll hear snippets of Ronstadt's classic recordings, underscoring key moments and creating an immersive soundscape that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The production quality-clear audio, balanced mixing-ensures every word and note lands with clarity.
In Simple Dreams, Linda Ronstadt delivers a narrative as beautiful as her voice: longing, graceful, and authentic. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to her legacy, this audiobook invites you on an unforgettable journey through the stages of her life and career, reminding us all that dreams-when pursued with passion-can indeed become reality.
NightWonka
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Homerun Diva
This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience.
Queen Bee
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! 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.
Capital F
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again.
DragonBlood
The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§ ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Mechani-Man
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Blister
I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze.
Kawaii Red
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Popeye Wipeout
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
Drift
I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
ByteBard
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Classy Dancer
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Delirium
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
VPR
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Keystone
ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Queen Ginger
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance!
New York Winder
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Flotsams54
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. π This app's functionality is a masterpiece β it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. ππ¨ is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. 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!
Diamond Gamer
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. 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!
Undergrad
This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
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