Book description
Step into the dark roots of Christmas past where the Krampus punishes the bad boys and girls. Christmas time is truly the darkest and creepiest time of the year filled with devilish creatures lurking in the shadows waiting to get us. Best known is the Krampus who has been the subject of films and songs. There was a time in the late 1800s when people sent Krampus cards, not holiday greetings. There are other violent and dangerous monsters from all over northern climes who have been hunting naughty children for centuries. From shapeshifters to mountain trolls, to elves, to heavy-handed cohorts of Saint Nicholas, the Christmas holiday has been filled with ghosts and monsters ready to dole out punishment to those who need it. The Fright Before Christmas will delve into the folklore of Krampus and his friends with the elf-like Tomten and the goblinesque Karakoncolas. The Belsnickel is ready to hit us with his switch of sticks and Gryla may drag you back to her mountain lair. And watch out for the Yule Cat ready to pounce! These are just a few of the yuletide beasties coming for us in The Fright Before Christmas in the hope they can save us from ourselves. The folklore roots of Christmas under its many other guises (Yule, the Winter Solstice, Saturnalia) is examined in a different, darker light. The Winter Solstice is a time to be afraid. It's the shortest day of the year. The longest night. In some parts of the world, the sun doesn't rise at all. It's dark, and we have to wonder if the sun will ever come back at all. Christmas has always been creepy and with The Fright Before Christmas you'll see the other side. This is a book for everyone who loves a little darkness around the holidays. Be good or the Krampus will get you!
About the Author
Jeff Belanger is one of the most visible and prolific researchers of legends and lore today. A natural storyteller, he's the award-winning, Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer of the New England Legends series on PBS and Amazon Prime, and is the author of over a dozen books (published in six languages). He also hosts the award-winning New England Legends weekly podcast, which has garnered over 4 million downloads since its launch, and ranks in the top 1/2 percent of all podcasts for popularity according to Listen Notes. His books include the best sellers: The World's Most Haunted Places, Weird Massachusetts, Our Haunted Lives, The Call of Kilimanjaro, and Who's Haunting the White House?. He founded Ghostvillage.com in 1999--one of the Web's most popular paranormal destinations--and he's a noted speaker and media personality. He was featured in the 100th episode of Stories from the Stage on PBS, he's given a TEDx talk in New York City, and he spoke at MENSA's national conference. Belanger has written for newspapers like The Boston Globe and USA Today, and has served as the writer and researcher on numerous television series including every single episode of Ghost Adventures (25 seasons and counting), Paranormal Challenge, and Aftershocks on the Travel Channel, and Amish Haunting on Destination America.
Burn
πΌ Enhancing work-from-home productivity β audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. π»π The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Poppin Loot
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable.
Nutmeg
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. π Reading has never been this easy β this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. ππ« Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift.
Mr. Peppermint
The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Slinger
I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient. 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.
Rink Ruler
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. π Reading has never been this easy β this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. ππ« I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient!
LuminaLore
ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Hen Skittle
I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it.
Redneck Giorgio
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Scare Stone
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. Download options are plenty β I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Plegasus
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
PixelPioneer
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment.
Hyper Kong
With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Vermilion
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
Sky Trinity
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Mrs. Voltage
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy.
Eerie Mizzen
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use.
King Panther
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience.
Ladybird
Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
RDTN
The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
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