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.
Moxie
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Digital Equinox
π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Freaky Ratbuster
I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Frosty
I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§
ManMaker
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. 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!
Necromancer
This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
DriftDetector
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π
Houston Rocket
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§ Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Unleashed
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Nessie
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Club Nola
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
Dream Killer
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 Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Kamikaze Grandma
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. π₯ Simplifying my reading routine β the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. ππ I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
VisionVoyager
This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket.
Essex
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Find It Girl
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Gold Bentley
With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Digital Goddess
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§ Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless.
WanderWord
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Moon Cricket
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
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