Book description
Denied a dog, a baby, and even a faithful fiancΓ©, 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 faΓ§ade 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."
Doughboy, Esq
π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π« ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Easy Street
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Fl00d
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph.
Tough Nut
This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient.
Flakes
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Crossing Guard
The app's stability is impressive β it runs smoothly without any glitches. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Alias Stick
Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
Hen Skittle
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration.
Morbid Sugar
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Girl Brownie
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations β it's like the app knows me! As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app.
Pepper Mouse
Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
ByteBard
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
WittyWordsmith
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. πͺ Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier β this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. πΌπ The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption.
Slinger
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. βοΈ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ππ I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Mad Robin
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
ReiGnZ
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days.
Low Menace
The narrator's voices are so soothing β a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Hoover Spark
ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§ I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Daffy Neo
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Crossing Guard
ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities.
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