Book description
A vivid look at 10 astonishing people who are maintaining some of the world's oldest and rarest cultural traditions. Eliot Stein has traveled the globe in search of remarkable people who are preserving some of our most extraordinary cultural rites. In Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive, Stein introduces readers to a man saving the secret ingredient in Japan's 700-year-old original soy sauce recipe. In Italy, he learns how to make the world's rarest pasta from one of the only women alive who knows how to make it. And in India, he discovers a family rumored to make a mysterious metal mirror believed to reveal your truest self. From shadowing Scandinavia's last night watchman to meeting a 27th-generation West African griot to tracking down Cuba's last official cigar factory “readers” more than a century after they spearheaded the fight for Cuban independence, Stein uncovers an almost lost world. Climbing through Peru’s southern highlands, he encounters the last Inca bridge master who rebuilds a grass-woven bridge every year from the fabled Inca Road System. He befriends a British beekeeper who maintains a touching custom of "telling the bees" important news of the day. And he crunches through a German forest to find the official mailman of the only tree in the world with its own address – to which countless people from across the world have written in hopes of finding love. These are just some of the last custodians preserving age-old rites on the brink of disappearance against all odds. Let Eliot Stein introduce you to all of them.
Racy Lady
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
Scuffs
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. 🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖 I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Jester
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧
TrinitySoul
🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧 Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles.
Suicide Crusher
The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
New Cycle
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Miss Murder
The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Hitch Frenzy
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
MysticMingle
With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
EchoEnigma
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience – it's like having a personal audio library. Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically.
Preach Man
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. 🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Widow Curio
Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Domino Combat
I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Ella of Light
I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Blinker
Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
Valley Guardian
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits.
Snow Cream
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer!
Kevlar Wanted
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing.
FireBrang
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. 💼 Making work hours fly by with captivating stories – a true work-life balance! 💻📖 Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Plum Moon
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. 🎙️ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! 🚶♀️📖 Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. 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.
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