Book description
Imagine hearing The Hobbit not just as a childhood adventure, but as Tolkien himself is whispering its secrets into your ear. That's the magic of this annotated edition, perfectly suited for audiobook listening. Douglas Anderson's brilliant commentary isn't just footnotes-it's a warm, knowledgeable companion guiding you through Middle-earth's hidden corners. You'll hear Tolkien's original line drawings and maps described vividly, feel the weight of his revisions (like why Gollum's story changed to fit the Ring's true nature), and even discover the full, lost tale of The Quest of Erebor-Gandalf's own explanation for Bilbo's journey-read aloud for the first time in decades.
Anderson connects Tolkien's world to ours in surprising, beautiful ways: you'll suddenly hear echoes of Beowulf in the dragon Smaug's lair, or trace the playful spirit of The Marvellous Land of Snergs in Bilbo's early adventures. These aren't dry academic notes-they're stories within stories, revealing how Tolkien's life, his love of language, and even his grief shaped every hobbit, dwarf, and dragon. It's like sitting with a professor who's utterly in love with the book, sharing fascinating tidbits over tea.
The audiobook shines because Anderson's voice (or the reader's) makes the scholarship feel personal, not textbook-y. You'll hear the humor in Tolkien's corrections, the emotion in his maps, and the sheer joy in his world-building. It transforms a familiar tale into a living, breathing universe, layer by layer. Whether you're a lifelong Tolkien fan or hearing Bilbo for the first time, this isn't just an annotation-it's an invitation to hear the story as Tolkien intended, with all its hidden melodies and deep roots. You won't just listen to The Hobbit again; you'll finally understand why it's stayed in our hearts for generations. This is the companion every Middle-earth journey deserves.
Mud Finger
Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process β I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Dance Bloom
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Fast FLAK
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Prof. Smirk
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion.
PixelPilgrim
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration.
Rooster
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Thunder Nut
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Slinger
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life β it's incredible. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching.
MindfulMingle
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback.
NexusNomad
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
ThoughtTrailblazer
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Little Cobra
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience.
Emerald Vine
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Reno Monarch
Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
DuckDuck
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side.
Hightower
This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
Moon Solitaire
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
Bridge Whip
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ« ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Green Scavenger
Audiobook excellence made simple β this app's functionality is a true asset. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. 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.
Renegade Slugger
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! 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!
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