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.
Marigold Loot
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Charms
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny! This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Light Lion
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
High-Fructose
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Mirage
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories.
Silver Rose
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey.
Hermopolis
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
ForumFlare
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Silent
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. 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 app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Bad Beh8vior
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Hoover Spark
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Friday Ferrari
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§
Mad Rascal
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator.
Sun Lemon
π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits.
Twix Esses
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface β it's a true delight. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. Iβm 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!
Nickname Master
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Plegasus
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Cool Law Topping
I've become addicted to this app β in the best possible way! ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Emerald Goddess
This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
Lunar Treat
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. 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!
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