Book description
From one of the world's most beloved writers and New York Times bestselling author of A Walk in the Woods and The Body, a vivid, nostalgic, and utterly hilarious memoir of growing up in the 1950s.Bill Bryson was born in the middle of the American century--1951--in the middle of the United States--Des Moines, Iowa--in the middle of the largest generation in American history--the baby boomers. As one of the best and funniest writers alive, he is perfectly positioned to mine his memories of a totally all-American childhood for 24-carat memoir gold. Like millions of his generational peers, Bill Bryson grew up with a rich fantasy life as a superhero. In his case, he ran around his house and neighborhood with an old football jersey with a thunderbolt on it and a towel about his neck that served as his cape, leaping tall buildings in a single bound and vanquishing awful evildoers (and morons)--in his head--as "The Thunderbolt Kid." Using this persona as a springboard, Bill Bryson re-creates the life of his family and his native city in the 1950s in all its transcendent normality--a life at once completely familiar to us all and as far away and unreachable as another galaxy. It was, he reminds us, a happy time, when automobiles and televisions and appliances (not to mention nuclear weapons) grew larger and more numerous with each passing year, and DDT, cigarettes, and the fallout from atmospheric testing were considered harmless or even good for you. He brings us into the life of his loving but eccentric family, including affectionate portraits of his father, a gifted sportswriter for the local paper and dedicated practitioner of isometric exercises, and of his mother, whose job as the home furnishing editor for the same paper left her little time for practicing the domestic arts at home. The many readers of Bill Bryson's earlier classic, A Walk in the Woods, will greet the reappearance in these pages of the immortal Stephen Katz, seen hijacking literally boxcar loads of beer. He is joined in the Bryson gallery of immortal characters by the demonically clever Willoughby brothers, who apply their scientific skills and can-do attitude to gleefully destructive ends. Warm and laugh-out-loud funny, and full of his inimitable, pitch-perfect observations, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is as wondrous a book as Bill Bryson has ever written. It will enchant anyone who has ever been young.
Stud muffin
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
Daisy Stick
The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Doll Champagne
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³ Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer.
LocKz
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
Star Sword
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Trash Master
π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Alley Fiend
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Morbid Sugar
π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Zesty Dragon
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
McDreamy
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me.
Dangle
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy.
ZenZone
π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Sick Saurus
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience.
LoreLoomer
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook!
Napoleonic Haze
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
Scooby Did
π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Dandelion
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Sapiens
ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Achilles Mountain
With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Black Mustard
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
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