Book description
Okay, I'll admit I'd been putting off reading The Summer of the Swans for years, thinking it was just another classic kids' book. Man, was I wrong. This audiobook? It's like finding a perfect, quiet moment on a lakeside bench you didn't know you needed. Betsy Byars (who won the Newbery Medal for this!) writes with this gentle, almost heartbreaking clarity about Sara, a 14-year-old drowning in the messy, confusing swirl of her life. Her older sister, her bossy aunt, her distant dad... and then there's Charlie, her little brother. She loves him, but sometimes she's just so tired of his constant neediness, she wants to just... disappear.
The magic here isn't in big, dramatic events-it's in those tiny, aching moments. Like when Sara's just watching swans glide on the lake, feeling everything finally smooth and easy... and then bam, everything shifts. The audiobook narrator (seriously, whoever did this, you're a gift) nails it. You hear the quiet confusion in Sara's voice, the way her thoughts get tangled, the way her heart hurts when Charlie goes missing. It's not loud or over-the-top; it's the kind of quiet that sticks with you long after you've stopped listening. You feel that ache of almost losing someone you love without even realizing how much you love them until it's gone.
That line from the blurb? "Sometimes you don't know what you love-until you almost lose it." It's not just a line here; it's the whole point, the whole feeling of the book. You'll be right there with Sara, feeling that panic, that sudden, terrifying clarity. It's not about grand adventures; it's about the deep, messy, beautiful love that lives in the everyday, in the quiet moments before you realize how precious they are. It's a book that makes you look at your own family, your own little moments, with new eyes. And honestly? After listening to this, I'm not avoiding any more Newbery winners. This one? It's a keeper. You'll feel seen, understood, and maybe just a little bit lighter when it's done. Trust me, it's the perfect summer listen, even if you're not actually near a lake. Just press play and let Sara's story wrap around you. You won't regret it.
Gingersnap Woman
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. π The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. π±π ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. 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.
Eight Patrol
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine.
Snout Pixie
π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
The Shield Toronto
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Scrapper
I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Raid Bucker
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
FireBerry
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset.
101
Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable.
Wheels
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Poppin Loot
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations β it's like the app knows me! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. 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! An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Jack Cassidy
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π 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!
Potato Sub
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
RoarSweetie
π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ
Heavenly Connection
π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats!
Wolf Tribune
ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
QuantumQuill
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient.
Blister
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze.
Swampmasher
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks.
Nibbler
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Swerve
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ
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