Book description
Imagine sitting in a quiet room, the mountain air of 1942 whispering through your headphones. Maggie Stiefvater's The Listeners isn't just a novel you read-it's a world you step into, perfectly realized for the ear. The Avallon Hotel & Spa, perched in West Virginia's wilds, feels alive, its polished halls and mountain springs almost tangible in the narrator's voice. You hear June Porter Hudson's quiet strength as she guides the hotel through war's first tremors, her local roots grounding her even as she navigates high society's fading luxuries.
Then, the tension snaps. The Gilfoyles, the aristocratic owners, make a secret deal: house captured Axis diplomats. June, who's spent years making every guest feel cherished, now faces the impossible task of offering luxury to the enemy while her own staff-mothers, wives, sisters-wait anxiously for sons and husbands at the front. The weight of it isn't stated; it's in the pause before her next polite word, the slight tremor in her voice as she greets a German diplomat. You feel her calculation: How much can I give without breaking?
Enter FBI Agent Tucker Minnick. His coal tattoo, a whisper of his Appalachian past, hints at a hidden world. His mission? Listen. But his own secret-about the Avallon's sweetwater, a source of healing that can also threaten-makes him a silent witness to June's tightrope walk. The audiobook masterfully uses sound to build this: the creak of old hotel floors, the distant rumble of a train carrying soldiers, the almost-silent crackle of tension in a hallway where diplomats whisper.
What makes this audiobook exceptional is how it turns setting into character. The mountain springs aren't just water; they're a living thing, their dual nature echoing the hotel's fragile peace. You hear the drip of the springs in the background during quiet moments, a subtle reminder of the danger beneath the surface. The narrator doesn't just tell you June is brave; they let you feel her resolve in the way she steadies her voice when speaking to a diplomat who's just admitted to the war, or when she quietly reassures a staff member who's terrified for her son.
Stiefvater's gift is making you care about the small, human moments-the way June remembers a guest's favorite tea, the way Tucker hesitates before sharing his own secret. The audiobook amplifies this. You lean in, not just for the plot, but for the sound of June's quiet courage, the subtle shift in Tucker's tone when he realizes he's not just listening to secrets, but to a woman holding a world together. It's a story about loyalty, cost, and the quiet power of hospitality in the darkest times. And in this audiobook, you don't just hear it-you feel the Avallon's heartbeat, steady and strong, right alongside June. It's a listening experience that lingers long after the final word.
BoomerBox
Effortless audiobook management โ this app's usability is a triumph. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Granola
With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Casanova
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Mafia Princess
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved!
LyRz
The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Berry Succubus
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. ๐ง Elevating my reading experience โ this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. ๐ฑ๐ Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable โ this app's design is a triumph. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Springheel Jack
๐ถ๐ Replacing tunes with stories โ my house is alive with the sound of narration! ๐ง๐ Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Day Hawk
๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Walking has never been this productive โ exploring new worlds while I exercise! ๐๏ธ๐ซ I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Morbid Angel
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver โ no more losing my place in the story! This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. 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.
Red Delicious
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ
Rummy Stickers
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Tough Nut
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Landfill Max
This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature!
Journeyman
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Rope
๐ก Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine โ this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. ๐ฑ๐ Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream โ simple and efficient. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring!
Bad Badminton
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. ๐ง An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand โ this app is pure convenience! ๐๐ ๐ Dancing through chores with audiobooks โ this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! ๐ถ๐ Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Geneva Cuffs
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. ๐๏ธ๐ง Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads โ this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ๐๏ธ๐ ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Nacho
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. I can't imagine my life without this app โ it's my daily dose of literature. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
RiddleRanger
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
RDTN
Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats โ this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ๐๐ Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
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