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.
Waylay Dave
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Prof. Smirk
This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Good William
This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π
Fire Fish
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
Blade
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
White Dragon
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Snowflake Pixie
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content β it's a real game-changer. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. 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.
Curio
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨ No more hassle with formats β this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Most Wanted
π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Titanium Ladybug
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Gullyway
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! π± My pocket-sized library β this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! ππ± Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Microwave
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Ice
The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
GoldTouch
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ
Corny
I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ππ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
DreamWeaver
π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
BlackExcalibur
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! 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!
Yellow Menace
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Senior Smurf
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. ListenBookβs design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. 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!
Trash Master
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go.
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