Book description
"A delight, the literary equivalent of a long catch-up with a brilliant friend." --New York Times "One of the most talked-about books of the year." --Gayle KingWhen you're a woman of a certain age, you are only promised that everything will get worse. But what if everything you've been told is a lie? Come to Paris, August 2021, when the City of Lights was still empty of tourists and a thirst for long-overdue pleasure gripped those who wandered its streets. After New York City emptied out in March 2020, Glynnis MacNicol, aged forty-six, unmarried with no children, spent sixteen months alone in her tiny Manhattan apartment. The isolation was punishing. A year without touch. Women are warned of invisibility as they age, but this was an extreme loneliness no one can prepare you for. When the opportunity to sublet a friend's apartment in Paris arose, MacNicol jumped on it. Leaving felt less like a risk than a necessity. What follows is a decadent, joyful, unexpected journey into one woman's pursuit of radical enjoyment. The weeks in Paris are filled with friendship and food and sex. There is dancing on the Seine; a plethora of gooey cheese; midnight bike rides through empty Paris; handsome men; afternoons wandering through the empty Louvre; nighttime swimming in the ocean off a French island. And yes, plenty of nudity. In the spirit of Nora Ephron and Deborah Levy (think Colette . . . if she'd had access to dating apps), I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself is an intimate, insightful, powerful, and endlessly pleasurable memoir of an intensely lived experience whose meaning and insight expand far beyond the personal narrative. MacNicol is determined to document the beauty, excess, and triumph of a life that does not require permission. The pursuit of enjoyment is a political act, both a right and a responsibility. Enjoying yourself--as you are--is not something the world tells you is possible, but it is. Here's the proof.
About the Author
Glynnis MacNicol is the author of the memoir No One Tells You This. She created and hosted the podcast Wilder. She lives in New York City.
Liquid Death
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. 👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Dandelion
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Silver Cup
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again.
Whip 2T
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Despair
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. 🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Back Bett
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
NexusNomad
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Tall Sally
💼 Juggling tasks while exploring narratives – this app is my multitasking hero! 💻📖 The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Heartbreaker
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. ⏰ Maximizing my time with efficient features – this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. 📚⏳ Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Cool Whip
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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! 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!
LocKz
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
VenusLion
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate.
Mad Robin
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
RealmRanger
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Drugstore Cowboy
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠 Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook!
Preach Man
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators – they add a unique charm to each book. 🎉 The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. 📱🎧 The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Sokol
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚
LoreLoomer
This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer! My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Whip Chu
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Take Away
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
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