Book description
Imagine two cousins, Jamie and Esther, who've somehow inherited cities that are literally at odds with each other. Jamie's Fairharbour is a frozen nightmare: windows bricked shut, residents shivering like overcooked shrimp in a freezer, and a government that's basically a snowplow with a bad attitude. Esther's Fairharbour? A sweaty, crumbling hellscape of relentless summer sun-walls melting like forgotten ice cream, people sighing about "oppressive sunlight" like it's a personal insult. Welcome to the divorce court of reality, as the Guardian put it, calling this "a beautifully strange and unique fable" (which is basically literary code for "this book is weird, and you'll love it").
The audiobook? Pure genius. The narrator's voice shifts from frosty to steamy like a mood ring on a bad day, making you feel the crunch of snow in Jamie's world and the sizzle of heat in Esther's. You'll swear you can hear the thump of a snowball hitting a bricked window, or the drip of sweat from a crumbling summer wall. It's like listening to a podcast where the host is simultaneously shivering and sweating, and you're just along for the ride.
Why does this work? Because it's not just a sci-fi split-city drama-it's about the messy, hilarious truth that we're all stuck with our own versions of "Fairharbour." Jamie's winter city is basically "I'm fine, I just need to build more walls," while Esther's summer city is "I'm fine, I just need more shade!" And the kicker? They're both trapped by the same "cataclysm," which feels like a breakup they never asked for. The Guardian nailed it: it's "an elegantly told meditation on how we can't leave ourselves behind." Translation: You can't just unbrick your life and expect to be cooler.
But the real magic? The moment they start texting across the divide (via "glowing fruit" or something equally bizarre). You'll hear the narrator's voice crack with hope as they say things like, "Wait, you also have a weirdly shaped snowman?" It's like watching two cousins finally admit they both hate their parents' decorating choices. And the humor! Summer city's walls "crumbling in the heat" while winter city's "anti-freeze" measures involve bricking up doors like a horror movie. Priorities, people.
Esquire called it "a unique and memorable work"-and honestly? It's the kind of book that makes you pause your audiobook to text a friend, "Okay, but what if we're all just the other city's cousin?" It's not just a story; it's a reminder that the most broken places are the ones we're already home to. So grab this audiobook, put on your headphones, and prepare to laugh while realizing your own life is basically a split-city sitcom. The Guardian was right: it's weird, it's wonderful, and it'll make you question why you never asked your cousin about their "summer city" before. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go unbrick my own door. (Or maybe just turn on the AC. Priorities.)
West Warrior
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X-Dew
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Fennel Dove
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Firedog
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SkyGod
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Baked ZD
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Chameleon
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CuriousCraft
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Bug Blitz
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QuantumQuipper
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Mother Hen
Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
NexusNinja
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Zero Charisma
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Kamikaze Granny
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VenusXX
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Captain Peroxide
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Iron Butterfly
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German Coach
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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