Book description
A Warm, Whirling Celebration of Community - "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store"
James McBride has once again proved that the best stories are those that live in the everyday corners of our lives. In this New York Times bestseller, he turns a small-town grocery shop into a living, breathing hub where immigrant Jews and African Americans share laughter, grief, and an unbreakable bond. The plot unfurls with the discovery of a buried skeleton during a construction dig, but McBride's true treasure is the tapestry of characters that emerge-Moshe, who once broke barriers in his local theater; Chona, the grocery-store owner whose faith keeps her people grounded; Nate, the janitor who becomes an unlikely hero. Their intertwined histories reveal how love and community can outshine prejudice even when a town's white establishment threatens to tear them apart.
McBride's prose is as accessible as it is lyrical. He balances humor with heartbreak without ever slipping into melodrama. Critics have called the book "charming, smart, heart-blistering, and heart-healing" (Danez Smith) and a "vibrant, love-affirming novel that bounds over any difference" (Ron Charles). These words ring true when you read about the way Chona's store becomes a sanctuary for a deaf boy in need of care, or how Nate's quiet determination keeps the town's darker secrets from destroying the community he loves.
What makes this book stand out is McBride's faith in humanity. Even as the narrative drags toward its climax-unveiling a town's complicity in long-hidden injustices-it never loses sight of the fact that people are resilient. The resolution feels earned, not contrived: love and solidarity triumph over division, proving that "heaven and earth" (the store itself) can be a beacon of hope.
If you've enjoyed McBride's earlier works-whether the humor-laden "Deacon King Kong" or the historical depth of "The Good Lord Bird"-you'll find in this novel a familiar warmth coupled with fresh, inventive storytelling. It is a reminder that our best stories are those we share around a table, and that even in dark times, community can light the way.
Sherm
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. 💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful!
Killer Grenade
With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable.
Red Delicious
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces – this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. 📱🔊 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
Thunder Tank
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Wildcat Talent
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. 📚👌 Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Mother Night
I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
3P-own
Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏 ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Centurion Sherman
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content – it's my new favorite app. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams!
Mud Finger
🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Call Back Queen
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Troubadour
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
New Magoo
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven.
Poptart AK47
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Moon Solitaire
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. ⭐️ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! 🧹🏰 I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Dakota Bliss
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚 The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy. 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.
Darkside Hooker
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Trash Pocky
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
ByteBard
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. 🚶♀️📱 I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. 🏞️📚 ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments.
Sienna Princess
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Scrapper
The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
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