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?
Fresh Peper
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
MindfulMingle
The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. I'm impressed by the app's performance โ it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Mother Night
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. I appreciate the minimal ads โ it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
Runway Darling
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. 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!
Spooky Electric
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier โ this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. ๐ง๐๏ธ Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Tabasco Dracula
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. I love the ability to change the background color. Itโs a nice touch.
Pepper Legs
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itโs a unique feature. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itโs so easy.
Backstreet
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. ๐ Rekindling my love for reading โ this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ๐๐ฅ ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use.
Zesty Dragon
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story.
Midnight Rambler
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education โ it's brilliant! I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off. ListenBookโs interface is clean and intuitive. Itโs a joy to use.
Badger the Burglar
Savoring audiobooks without complications โ this app's design is commendable. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs.
Predator
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itโs a fun feature.
Clover Dragon
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again โ but in a modern, convenient way. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itโs so easy to navigate.
Troubled Pie
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. The app's performance is remarkable โ it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Drop Stone
No more fighting over the radio during family trips โ we're all hooked on audiobooks now. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. ๐ก Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder โ thank you, this app! ๐ฑ๐ ๐๏ธ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures โ this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. โ๏ธ๐ Binaural audio processing is a game-changer โ my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions.
Crazy Rox
Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineโgood narration, decent storyโbut it didnโt leave a lasting impression. If youโre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Bug Blitz
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
1st Degree
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. ๐๏ธ Basking in the sun with an audiobook โ relaxation meets storytelling paradise! โ๏ธ๐ Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnโt stop listening.
Pink Nightmare
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. ๐ Embracing reading in the busiest of times โ this app is my everyday escape! ๐๐โโ๏ธ Audiobooks made convenient โ this app's functionality is a true gift. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Lilac Lizard
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. ๐๐ This app has rekindled my love for books โ I can't stop listening! ๐๐ง ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
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