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.
Golden Cougar
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic.
Shady Prairie
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
QuestWeaver
🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Con Mammoth
The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Pink C
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly.
Necessary Momentum
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Stud muffin
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool.
Call Back Queen
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read – this app is always ready.
Crazy Eights
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
ForumFlare
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌 This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Pink C
Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. 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!
All Natural
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional.
Gentle Avenger
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues!
Tall Sally
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness.
Stealth
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Gamer Bean
⭐️ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures – this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! 👚🎧 💪 Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features – audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! 💼🎧
Prometheus
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination.
Snapdragon
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨ This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Bambi Benz
With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Screwtape
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. 📚 Embracing reading in the digital age – this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. 📱🎉 Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
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