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."
Pitfall Whiskers
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Roller Turtle
I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. 👀📚 Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier – this app's soothing voices 😴🎧 🌟 Adding excitement to everyday tasks – this app is my partner in productivity! 📚🚀
Trigger Warming
Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Dorothy Solitaire
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
ThoughtTrail
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature!
Curio
ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Stick Shift
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is a triumph.
Dez North
The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
VPR
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations.
Poptart AK47
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Emerald Vine
I'm hooked on this app – it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. 🏃♀️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – audiobooks make my runs more exciting! 🏃♀️🎧
Goatee Shield
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
ThoughtTraveler
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱
New York Winder
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
MrOnsTr
🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖 Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Biscuit Meg
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Dream Killer
This app is a true gift for book lovers – it's like having a personal library wherever I go. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
Alley Fiend
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Free Ham
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Star Sword
Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. 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!
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