Book description
Denied a dog, a baby, and even a faithful fiancé, Cat suddenly craves a snake: a glistening, writhing creature that can be worn like "jewelry, living jewelry" to match her black jeans. But when the budding social media star promptly loses the young "Burmie" she buys from a local pet store, she inadvertently sets in motion a chain of increasingly dire and outrageous events that comes to threaten her very survival. "Brilliantly imaginative . . . in a terrifying way" (Annie Proulx), Blue Skies follows in the tradition of T. C. Boyle's finest novels, combining high-octane plotting with mordant wit and shrewd social commentary. Here Boyle, one of the most inventive voices in contemporary fiction, transports us to water-logged and heat-ravaged coastal America, where Cat and her hapless, nature-loving family--including her eco-warrior parents, Ottilie and Frank; her brother, Cooper, an entomologist; and her frat-boy-turned-husband, Todd--are struggling to adapt to the "new normal," in which once-in-a-lifetime natural disasters happen once a week and drinking seems to be the only way to cope. But there's more than meets the eye to this compulsive family drama. Lurking beneath the banal façade of twenty-first-century Californians and Floridians attempting to preserve normalcy in the face of violent weather perturbations is a caricature of materialist American society that doubles as a prophetic warning about our planet's future. From pet bees and cricket-dependent diets to massive species die-off and pummeling hurricanes, Blue Skies deftly explores the often volatile relationships between humans and their habitats, in which "the only truism seems to be that things always get worse." An eco-thriller with teeth, Boyle's Blue Skies is at once a tragicomic satire and a prescient novel that captures the absurdity and "inexpressible sadness at the heart of everything."
Kevlar Wanted
🎧 Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. 📚📱 I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Wild Tesla
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Dorothy Solitaire
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey.
Dark Burn
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. 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.
Friday Ferrari
This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
Cooger
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic.
Sass Burst
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature! This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Pigeon Woman
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Nacho
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Bad Badminton
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧
Bitmap
🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Knock Out Star
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook! 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!
Napoleonic Haze
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
Runway Darling
My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Wild Tesla
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is commendable.
Mental
🎧 My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. 📚🍳 Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
Force
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Crash Enforcer
🏝️ Basking in the sun with an audiobook – relaxation meets storytelling paradise! ☀️📖 I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Kevlar Wanted
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱 Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. 📚👏 The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
NightDream
I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
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