Book description
The inspiring and delicious memoir of an American woman who had the gall to open a cooking school in Paris--a true story of triumphing over French elitism and falling in love with a city along the way. When Jane Bertch was eighteen, her mother took her on a graduation trip to Paris. Thrilled to use her high school French, Jane found her halting attempts greeted with withering condescension by every waiter and shopkeeper she encountered. At the end of the trip, she vowed she would never return. Yet a decade later she found herself back in Paris, transferred there by an American bank. She became fluent in the language, gradually earning the respect of her French colleagues as she excelled in her new position. But she had a different dream: to start a cooking school for foreigners like her, tourists who wanted to take a few classes in French cuisine in a friendly setting, then bring their new skills to their kitchens back home. Predictably, Jane faced nay-saying Frenchmen--how dare an American banker start a cooking school in Paris?--real-estate nightmares, and a long struggle to find and attract clients. Thanks to Jane's perseverance, La Cuisine Paris opened in 2009. The years since have been filled with triumphs and heartbreaks. Several times the school almost closed, thanks to the pandemic and terrorist attacks that kept tourists away. Now the school is thriving, welcoming international visitors to come in and knead dough, whisk bechamel, whip meringue, and learn the care, precision, patience, and beauty involved in French cooking. The French Ingredient is the story of a young female entrepreneur building a life in a city and culture she grew to love. As she built La Cuisine, Jane learned how to charm, how to project confidence, and how to give it right back to rude waiters. Having finally made peace with the city she swore never to revisit, she now offers a love letter to France, and a master class in Parisian cooking--and living.
NexusNomad
ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. 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.
CyberScribe
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
Dez North
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate β it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Prometheus
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
Maple Destroyer
ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
Automatic Slicer
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π 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!
Gunhawk
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient β it's like having a personal narrator. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Sokol
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Clover Rabbit
π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable.
SunnySnap
Audiobook immersion without fuss β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Gold Dahlia
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ 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.
Lime
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing.
Lucky Brandy
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly.
Sleepwalker
No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Tough Nut
π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! 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. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Frosty Sunshine
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Tan Stallion
ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineβgood narration, decent storyβbut it didnβt leave a lasting impression. If youβre looking for something low-commitment, this works. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
DreamWeaver
Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ππ± I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Avenge Paws
Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true triumph. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures.
Brick Mooch
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising β thanks to this app! This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. ππ§ ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits.
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