Book description
Discover the dark side of Christmas in this fascinating exploration of the strange folk tales and arcane traditions still haunt winter and the festive season to this day.As winter comes and the hours of darkness overtake the light, we seek out warmth, good food, and good company. But beneath the jollity and bright enchantment of the festive season, there lurks a darker mood - one that has found expression over the centuries in a host of strange and unsettling traditions and lore. Here, Sarah Clegg takes us on a journey through midwinter to explore the lesser-known Christmas traditions, from English mummers plays and Austrian Krampus runs, to modern pagan rituals at Stonehenge and the night in Finland when a young girl is crowned with candles as St Lucy - a martyred Christian girl who also appears as a witch leading a procession of the dead. At wassails and hoodenings and winter gatherings, attended by ghastly, grinning horses, snatching monsters and mysterious visitors, we discover how these traditions originated and how they changed through the centuries, and we ask ourselves: if we can't keep the darkness entirely at bay, might it be fun to let a little in?
Vicious Street
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Racy Lady
I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
MuseMaster
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive.
Steel Ginger
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
Hobo Samurai
Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
CoB@lt
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Slacker Cat
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Dakota Bliss
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it!
CuriousCoder
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats – it truly supports all my audio needs. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
InsightInkwell
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket.
Twisty Freesia
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. 🛌 Indulging in soothing bedtime stories – this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. 🌙📚 💡 This app's convenience is a blessing – I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! 📱👩🍳 🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Dez Bonbon
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. 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.
Die Slice
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Essex
👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook!
Take Away
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. 🎧 Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app – pure listening pleasure! 📚🔥 ListenBook’s design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use. The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable.
Bad Beret
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Murmur
💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length – I'm in! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Amphibi-Dangerous
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Lord Theus
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. 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!
Frosty Sunshine
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything!
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