Book description
Why I Am Not a Bus Driver is a moving and musical debut collection exploring grief, love and the power of community, from the author of The 392, Your Show and Wild East (Mal Peet Award, Carnegie Medal for Writing Nomination). The heart of this book beats in sync with that of the poet's late grandfather, as, sonnet after unconventional sonnet, Hickson-Lovence uncovers the micro-histories woven into the streets and journeys that shape us. These poems speak with Frank O'Hara, in their stream-of-consciousness lyricism, in meditations that dance like winding roads, both immediate and nostalgic. Committed to honouring the authentic and everyday, the real and true, human connection is the destination in this stirring collection, and every reader has a priority seat."Why I Am Not A Bus Driver is a moving collection attuned to the knowledge that poetry of the family is both plain and complex, that the dead sometimes require elegy and sometimes celebration; and all of this held within the strength and uncertainty that is the human-made body of the poem." Andrew McMillan "A heartfelt elegy to a grandfather, skilfully weaving themes of legacy, promises, influences and dreams. While the grandfather takes centre stage, England itself emerges as a powerful backdrop to the story. Hickson-Lovence's unified themes lend the book the feel of a novel-in-verse, yet each poem resonates with its own emotional strength. An endearing and enlightening read-don't miss it." Roger Robinson "Ashley Hickson-Lovence's debut collection offers an intricate reminiscence, an insight into fierce familial bonds and how they shape a life indefinitely. These poems pulse with longing, vulnerability and doubt, highlighting the human need for connection, the resilience that grows from loss, the certainty that comes when the love unfolds." Rebecca Goss"Among the most natural, elegant sonnet sequences I've read: a memorial, moving in its radical honesty and grace. What both broke and strengthened my heart about this collection is the sheer humanity and authentic curiosity that make a life feel meaningful, transfiguring both the extraordinary and the everyday with dignity, love and imagination. Just gorgeous." Luke Kennard
Thrasher
Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Ella of Light
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. 💪 Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier – this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. 💼📖 Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
Pixie Soldier
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖 I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! 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.
Flint Cast-Iron
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch.
Liquid Science
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ Finally, an app that values usability – navigating and listening is a breeze! Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive.
Juice Petite
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening.
StorySculptor
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. 🎉 This app's functionality is a masterpiece – it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. 📚🎨 Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy. 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!
VenusXX
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Centurion Sherman
I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Rosie Bird
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Silver Cup
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening 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!
Senior Smurf
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
Cool Law Topping
This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
DreamDiver
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Darling Peacock
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience.
FearLeSS
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Delirium
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. 🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧 This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Venom Petunia
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
MuseMaster
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content – it's my new favorite app. 📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate.
LyRz
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. 💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content.
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