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.
Sofa King
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Night Magnet
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Shadow Gal
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible.
Automatic Slicer
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Widow Curio
π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± 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. ππ Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
Metal Star
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
Liquid Science
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Sexual Chocolate
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. 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.
Mad Rascal
This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface β it's a true delight. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Drugstore Cowboy
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light.
Loot
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly.
Apple Nola
π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
Hyper Kong
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a triumph.
Liquid Science
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. ππ± Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
CuriousCoder
ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. Audiobook adventures simplified β this app's functionality is a revelation.
Bitmap
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! π Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner β this app adds flavor to every meal! π²π The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Mirage
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless.
Twinkle Cutlass
With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. π±π Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
Gabriel Dandelion
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Audiobooks made delightful β this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is a triumph. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Firecracker
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
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