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
Shadow Gal
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
Bad Bond
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Pigeon Woman
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Preach Man
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
Lady Q
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. I'm addicted to this app – it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear.
Fuzzy Rainbow
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Cujo
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QuestQuill
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Steel Heart
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Black Fantastic
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Trash Pocky
This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Simplifying my reading routine – this app's ease of use is remarkable. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Gunhawk
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Proper
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Rummy Stickers
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling.
Contrary Mary
Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. 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.
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My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. I love the car mode. It’s so convenient for listening while driving.
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Abyss Tamer
Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Beetle King
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Trigger Warming
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators – they add a unique charm to each book. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
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