Book description
An audacious journalistic exploration of the present and future of beauty through the lens of South Korea's booming "K-beauty" industry and the culture it promotes, by Elise Hu, NPR host-at-large and the host of TED Talks Daily K-beauty has captured imaginations worldwide by promising a kind of mesmerizing perfection. Its skincare and makeup products--creams packaged to look like milkshakes or pandas, and snail mucus face masks, to name a few--work together to fascinate us, champion consumerism, and invite us to indulge. In the four years Elise spent in Seoul as NPR's bureau chief, the global K-beauty industry quadrupled. Today it's worth $10 billion and is only getting bigger as it rides the Hallyu wave around the globe. And fun as self-care consumerism may be, Elise turns her veteran eye to the darker questions lurking beneath the surface of this story. When technology makes it easy to quantify and optimize ourselves--from banishing blemishes, to whittling our waistlines, even to shaving down our jaws--where do we draw the line? What are the dangers for a society where a flawless face and body are promoted and possible? What are the real financial, physical, and emotional costs of beauty work in a culture that valorizes endless self-improvement and codes it as empowerment? With rich historical context and deep reporting, including hours of interviews with South Korean women, this is a complex, provocative look at the ways hustle culture has reached into the sinews of our bodies. It raises complicated questions about gender disparity, consumerism, the beauty imperative of an appearance obsessed society, and the undeniable political, economic, and social capital of good looks worldwide. And it points the way toward an alternative vision, one that's more affirming and inclusive than a beauty culture led by industry.
VisionVortex
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great! Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Reed Lady
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. ๐๐ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page โ this app is a bedtime dream! ๐ด๐ง Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. ๐๐
Find It Girl
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. ๐ผ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories โ a true work-life balance! ๐ป๐ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Viceswerve
I can't stop raving about this app โ it's like having a personal library in my pocket. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Walking my way through exciting narratives โ this app makes exercise more fun! ๐๏ธ๐ง 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. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Engine Eye
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. ๐ฑ Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories โ this app is pure magic! ๐โจ ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets!
Squatch
I can't get enough of this app โ it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. ๐๐ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier โ this app's soothing voices ๐ด๐ง
Sir Shove
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences.
ThoughtTrail
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Prof. Smirk
๐ถ๐ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs โ this app is my go-to playlist! ๐ง๐ ๐๐ Road trips have never been this entertaining โ this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ๐๐ ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ
DreadSherX
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Tough Nut
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itโs so easy to navigate. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Daisy Stick
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. This app has reignited my passion for literature โ I'm devouring books like never before. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
Darth 44
๐ Elevating my reading routine โ this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ๐๐ is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
QuantumQuill
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. ๐ Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ๐๐ ๐ The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. ๐ฑ๐ Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Darth 44
The app's design is sleek and modern โ it's a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. Iโm 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!
Brick Mooch
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
X-Dew
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. I can't get enough of this app โ it's like having a personal library with me. Efficiency meets audiobooks โ this app's functionality is a perfect match.
Boost
Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! Iโve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Vermilion
I've never been so excited about my daily commute โ thanks to this app. ๐๐ Reigniting my passion for books โ this app is my newfound reading obsession! ๐ฅ๐ง ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Mr. Gadget
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donโt have the time. The app is so reliable. Iโve never had any issues with it.
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