Book description
The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays. "The elegance of Patchett's prose is seductive and inviting: with Patchett as a guide, readers will really get to grips with the power of struggles, failures, and triumphs alike." --Publisher's Weekly"Any story that starts will also end." As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart. At the center of These Precious Days is the title essay, a surprising and moving meditation on an unexpected friendship that explores "what it means to be seen, to find someone with whom you can be your best and most complete self." When Patchett chose an early galley of actor and producer Tom Hanks' short story collection to read one night before bed, she had no idea that this single choice would be life changing. It would introduce her to a remarkable woman--Tom's brilliant assistant Sooki--with whom she would form a profound bond that held monumental consequences for them both. A literary alchemist, Patchett plumbs the depths of her experiences to create gold: engaging and moving pieces that are both self-portrait and landscape, each vibrant with emotion and rich in insight. Turning her writer's eye on her own experiences, she transforms the private into the universal, providing us all a way to look at our own worlds anew, and reminds how fleeting and enigmatic life can be. From the enchantments of Kate DiCamillo's children's books (author of The Beatryce Prophecy) to youthful memories of Paris; the cherished life gifts given by her three fathers to the unexpected influence of Charles Schultz's Snoopy; the expansive vision of Eudora Welty to the importance of knitting, Patchett connects life and art as she illuminates what matters most. Infused with the author's grace, wit, and warmth, the pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark--and demonstrate why Ann Patchett is one of the most celebrated writers of our time.
Firefly Caramel
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InsightInkwell
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Snake Eyes
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VisionVoyager
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Shivers
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Wild Kitten
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Casanova
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Skool
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Mule Lock
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BuffFreak
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Necessary Momentum
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Lewd Dice
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Street Squirrel
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Sun Leo
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LoreLoomer
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Scuffs
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Poptart AK47
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Sidewalk Enforcer
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ChatterChampion
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Nickname Master
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. Audiobooks made delightful β this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
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