Book description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • FINALIST FOR THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE • FINALIST FOR THE NEBULA AWARD • LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZEIn the acclaimed first novel from short story virtuoso and Pulitzer Prize finalist Kelly Link, three teenagers become pawns in a supernatural power struggle. “A dreamlike, profoundly beautiful novel [that] pushes our understanding of what a fantasy novel can be.”—Amal El-Mohtar, The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice) “Imagine a ring of David Mitchell and Stephen King books dancing around a fire until something new, brave, and wonderful rose up from the flames.”—Isaac Fitzgerald, TodayONE OF VULTURE AND PUBLISHER WEEKLY’S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The New Yorker, Time, Town & Country, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Post, Book Riot, Lit Hub The Book of Love showcases Kelly Link at the height of her powers, channeling potent magic and attuned to all varieties of love—from friendship to romance to abiding family ties—with her trademark compassion, wit, and literary derring-do. Readers will find joy (and a little terror) and an affirmation that love goes on, even when we cannot.Late one night, Laura, Daniel, and Mo find themselves beneath the fluorescent lights of a high school classroom, almost a year after disappearing from their hometown, the small seaside community of Lovesend, Massachusetts, having long been presumed dead. Which, in fact, they are.With them in the room is their previously unremarkable high school music teacher, who seems to know something about their disappearance—and what has brought them back again. Desperate to reclaim their lives, the three agree to the terms of the bargain their music teacher proposes. They will be given a series of magical tasks; while they undertake them, they may return to their families and friends, but they can tell no one where they’ve been. In the end, there will be winners and there will be losers.But their resurrection has attracted the notice of other supernatural figures, all with their own agendas. As Laura, Daniel, and Mo grapple with the pieces of the lives they left behind, and Laura’s sister, Susannah, attempts to reconcile what she remembers with what she fears, these mysterious others begin to arrive, engulfing their community in danger and chaos, and it becomes imperative that the teens solve the mystery of their deaths to avert a looming disaster.Welcome to Kelly Link’s incomparable Lovesend, where you’ll encounter love and loss, laughter and dread, magic and karaoke, and some really good pizza.
About the Author
Kelly Link is the author of White Cat, Black Dog; Get in Trouble, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in fiction; Magic for Beginners; Stranger Things Happen; and Pretty Monsters. Her short stories have been published in The Best American Short Stories and Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards. She is a MacArthur "Genius" fellow and has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. She is the co-founder of Small Beer Press and co-edits the occasional zine Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet. She is also the co-owner of Book Moon, an independent bookstore in Easthampton, Massachusetts.
CZR
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
SpellTansy
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable.
Cream
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable.
Blood Taker
This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
Leaf Assassin
🎉 The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. 📱🎧 I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly.
Brick Mooch
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Cream
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster.
Star Jammer
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Cooger
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go.
DeathDancer
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Delicious Wing
Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Little Cobra
This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 🏃♀️📚 Running with purpose – audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. 🏃♀️🎧 Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚 The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks!
Devine Melon
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app! I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Prof. Screw
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Neophyte Believer
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. 🎙️ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! 🚶♀️📖
Dance Bloom
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
Bad Bunny
Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Sepukku
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. 📚✨ I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Fresh Peper
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! 🎙️ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt – what a game-changer! 🛒📚 Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Star Sword
The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
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