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
Cujo
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. 🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience!
Chew Chew
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Iron Butterfly
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Viceswerve
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
QuantumQuill
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading.
ForumFlare
👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Free Ham
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Bad Beh8vior
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
IceDog
🌟 Say goodbye to boredom during long drives – this app makes road trips fly by! 🚗🎉 High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Bourbon Mirage
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available – there's something for everyone. 🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖 The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny! What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Pusher
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. 🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention.
Canine Hannibal
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 💼 Making work hours fly by with captivating stories – a true work-life balance! 💻📖 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Badger the Burglar
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings.
PepperBurst
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight.
Lumberyard
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Abiss
ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
General Finish
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. 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.
Troublemasher
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Fast Draw
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment.
Blink
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
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