Book description
Chinese was the earliest truly global cuisine. When the first Chinese laborers began to settle abroad, restaurants appeared in their wake. Yet Chinese has the curious distinction of being both one of the world's best-loved culinary traditions and one of the least understood. For more than a century, the overwhelming dominance of a simplified form of Cantonese cooking ensured that few foreigners experienced anything of its richness and sophistication--but today that is beginning to change.In Invitation to a Banquet, award-winning cook and writer Fuchsia Dunlop explores the history, philosophy, and techniques of Chinese culinary culture. In each chapter, she examines a classic dish, from mapo tofu to Dongpo pork, knife-scraped noodles to braised pomelo pith, to reveal a distinctive aspect of Chinese gastronomy, whether it's the importance of the soybean, the lure of exotic ingredients, or the history of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. Meeting food producers, chefs, gourmets, and home cooks as she tastes her way across the country, Fuchsia invites readers to join her on an unforgettable journey into Chinese food as it is cooked, eaten, and considered in its homeland.Weaving together history, mouthwatering descriptions of food, and on-the-ground research conducted over the course of three decades, Invitation to a Banquet is a lively, landmark tribute to the pleasures and mysteries of Chinese cuisine.
Light Lion
βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Sir Squire
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier β this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. π±π§
Predator
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. I'm addicted to this app β it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Devine Melon
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§
Capital F
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Jack Cassidy
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. 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.
Racy Lion
The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Twinkle Cocoa
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. Audiobook immersion without complications β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Texas Butterfly
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature.
Sidewalk Enforcer
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Gunhawk
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a true marvel. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
THRESHmSTR
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
3D Waffle
The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have!
Sky Trinity
Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
ThreadTrail
βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Kawaii Red
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Switch
This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
Little Cobra
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! Binaural audio processing is a game-changer β my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions.
Freeway
This app makes traffic jams a breeze β time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. Binaural audio processing is a game-changer β my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions.
Apple Nola
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
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