Book description
Examining the cultural belief that our animal instincts are to be corrected or corralled, nature advocate and rewilding facilitator Vanessa Chakour explores our inner and outer landscapes through the lens of wild animals. How can wolves, misunderstood in myths but vital to ecosystems, teach us to rewrite dangerous stories and respect nature's wisdom? How do the peaceful coexistence strategies of black bears offer insights into sharing resources? How can the engineering feats of beavers guide us in fostering regenerative building solutions and vibrant ecosystems? What can the loyal partnership of seahorses teach us about nurturing and love? In Earthly Bodies, Vanessa draws parallels from struggles she has weathered in her own life to those endured by twenty-three wild animals--from wolves to sea lions--exploring our unease of feeling like prey; challenging the entrapment of our limiting beliefs; contextualizing the turmoil of fractured landscapes; and affirming our primal ache to belong. Vanessa's pivotal encounters with creatures in sync with their primal rhythms and demands illustrate the necessity of relying on the intelligence of gut instinct; of the magnetic pull of attraction; of the body's mandate for restorative rest; and of the sacred bonds of love. We often cut ourselves off from identifying with wild animals--like wolves, foxes, bats and bears, and other animal relatives--out of fear, ignorance, disgust, or misunderstanding, yet our earthly human bodies can lead us in our pursuits of pleasure, love, wonder, healing, and connection. With each section containing an aspect of injured animal's return home to their natural habitat, and--in our case--to an embodied, instinctual self, Earthly Bodies meditates on how this journey from enclosures, to rehabilitation, to soft release, and finally to homing raises questions about our humanity. In so learning, we understand how we might benefit from embracing our own animal nature to gain deeper self-actualization, find common ground with our fellow animals, and learn to thrive together.
About the Author
VANESSA CHAKOUR is an author, naturalist, visual artist, former pro-boxer, herbalist, and nature advocate. A dynamic blend of her vast personal experiences over 20+ years, she facilitates rewilding retreats and courses; helping students access their inner wild while learning from the plants, fungi and animals that share their ecosystems. She created Rewilding Through Writing programs to facilitate healing through the creative process; encouraging writers of all levels to trust their creative instincts and build confidence in their voice. She lives with her partner in Western Massachusetts where they steward Mount Owen Forest Sanctuary, promoting ecosystem diversity and resilience through forest stewardship and propagation of native and endangered plants and fungi.
Fist Wizard
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Saturnalia
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. 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 user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Twix Bond
This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Lounge Master
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. 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!
Austin Shamrock
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. Download options are plenty β I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Boost Princess
π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
ShadowFax
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§
Lucky Brandy
Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Fist Wizard
I'm hooked on this app's ease of use β it's a reader's dream come true. π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§
WordWanderer
Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
NecroBull
πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive.
Twix Bond
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§ Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Keystone
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection β there's always something new to discover. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met.
ButterQuest
This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
Shade Nightman
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Heaven Sent
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ±
Pixie Taze
ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. 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!
Chip Queen
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
New York Sixlet
Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session.
Mechani-Man
πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
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