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.
Stealth
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience β it's like having a personal audio library. I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π
Miss Mustard
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom!
VenusLion
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Sugar Domino
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel.
Sultan of Speed
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ 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± I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze.
Whip Chu
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Dream Killer
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QuantumQuill
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ
Flyswat Briggs
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Silver Rose
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Flash Protein
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Stud Buster
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Shamrock
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Shivers
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before.
Rope
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Mule Lock
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed β it's my form of meditation. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively.
Old Felix
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Sky Herald
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Tornado Maker
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Clover Dragon
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
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