Book description
Discover a future where connection brews in a bowl. Annalee Newitz's Automatic Noodle isn't just a sci-fi novella-it's a warm, vital listen that transforms the humble act of making ramen into a profound statement on belonging. As an audiobook, it's pure, immersive storytelling: the crackle of a ghost kitchen, the rhythmic pull of dough, and the quiet hum of robots rediscovering purpose. You hear the team's camaraderie in their voices, their hesitation as they navigate a city still healing from war, and the genuine joy in serving hand-pulled noodles that taste like home.
Newitz masterfully avoids dystopian gloom. Instead, she crafts a near-future where community isn't just built-it's served. When a wave of malicious one-star reviews threatens their fledgling shop, the stakes feel immediate, deeply human. You don't need to be a robot to feel that sting of online hostility, or the relief of finding allies in unexpected places-neighbors, customers, even the city itself. The audiobook's pacing is perfect: quick enough to keep you hooked during your commute, rich enough to linger long after the final note.
What elevates this beyond typical genre fare is its quiet optimism. These robots aren't just surviving; they're thriving by leaning into what they know best-cooking with care. The Macmillan Audio production amplifies this beautifully. The narrator's delivery makes the robots' quirks endearing (that slight pause before a robot says "I am programmed to serve" feels like a wink), while the ambient sounds-steam, chopping, distant city buzz-pull you right into the kitchen. It's a masterclass in how audiobooks can deepen narrative texture without overwhelming it.
In a world obsessed with grand battles, Automatic Noodle finds power in the small, radical act of opening your doors. It's the perfect antidote to cynicism: a story where food, community, and a little robot resilience solve the real crises. You'll finish this audiobook not just entertained, but quietly hopeful-ready to seek out your own neighborhood kitchen, or maybe just make a bowl of noodles yourself. This isn't just a great listen; it's a reminder of how much we share, even when the world feels divided. Don't just hear it-let it nourish you.
ByteBard
Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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! 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.
Sick Saurus
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DanimalDaze
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Cumulo
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Chameleon
I've become addicted to this app β in the best possible way! With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings.
High Deck
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Cardinal Rebel
No more fighting over the radio during family trips β we're all hooked on audiobooks now. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Virgo Moon
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Lord Theus
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Sky Dahlia
No more straining my eyes to read β now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Pinball Esq
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Mad Irishman
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content β it's my new favorite app. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
Eye Candy Kitten
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ π± My secret to staying well-read β this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! ππ± ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Devil Bread
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true standout. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
Shady Lady
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Shadow Chaser
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Bridge Whip
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. One of the best audiobooks Iβve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorβs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Trixie Doodle
πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place! Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
The Dude
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
NexusNavigator
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is a true winner. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great!
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