Book description
From the New York Times bestselling author and advice columnist, a poignant and funny debut novel about the residents of a women's hotel in 1960s New York City. The Beidermeier might be several rungs lower on the ladder than the real-life Barbizon, but its residents manage to occupy one another nonetheless. There's Katherine, the first-floor manager, lightly cynical and more than lightly suggestible. There's Lucianne, a workshy party girl caught between the love of comfort and an instinctive bridling at convention, Kitty the sponger, Ruth the failed hairdresser, and Pauline the typesetter. And there's Stephen, the daytime elevator operator and part-time Cooper Union student. The residents give up breakfast, juggle competing jobs at rival presses, abandon their children, get laid off from the telephone company, attempt to retrain as stenographers, all with the shared awareness that their days as an institution are numbered, and they'd better make the most of it while it lasts. As trenchant as the novels of Dawn Powell and Rona Jaffe and as immersive as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Lessons in Chemistry, Women's Hotel is a modern classic--and it is very, very funny.ReviewAppealingly offbeat. … Lavery colorfully captures the hotel in the last glimmers of its heyday and brings the misfit residents to life. … Readers will find much to savor." -Publishers Weekly "[E]very character is distinct and their backstories, misadventures, and little victories intertwine skillfully. Lavery has a wonderful ear for a period turn-of-phrase and his prose glitters with humor and affection for human foibles. … Readers will be hard-pressed not to read sections aloud to passersby. … [A] stay at the Biedermeier is pure pleasure." -Kirkus Reviews ★ (starred review) "Fans of dearly departed website the Toast will long be familiar with Daniel Lavery’s penchant for humorous turns of phrase and his distinctly literary imagination. In his debut novel, Lavery turns that sensibility to the brief phenomenon of women’s hotels … delightfully offbeat." -VultureAbout the AuthorDaniel M. Lavery is a former “Dear Prudence” advice columnist at Slate, the cofounder of The Toast, and the New York Times-bestselling author of Texts from Jane Eyre, The Merry Spinster, and Something That May Shock and Discredit You. He also writes the popular newsletter The Chatner. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
White Swan
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Twitch
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
Barbera Shift
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth.
Acid Queen
I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
Pinball Esq
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. 🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Star Sword
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Hidden Tree
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. 📱 It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. 📚🔥 Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers!
Bowie
🚗 Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! 🚗📚 Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
Undergrad Split
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. 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!
xFRST
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. Audiobook adventures simplified – this app's functionality is a revelation.
Acetic Princess
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking and listening has never been this smooth – this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. 🏞️📖 Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel.
Contrary Mary
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. 🎧 Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. 📚📱
Diamond Gamer
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. 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!
Widow Curio
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Psycho Thinker
🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠 Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚
Tokyo Dream
🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥 📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️ What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Daffy Neo
🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Mercury Reborn
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Referee
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Dancing Madman
AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
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