Book description
Many years ago, long before the present prosaic era in ancient japan, there lived in Yedo a young samurai named Toshika. His family belonged to the aristocratic rank of the hatamoto samurai, those knights who possessed the right to march to battle directly under the Shogun's flag (hata), and his father was a high official in the Tokugawa Shogunate.Toshika, whose disposition was of a dreamy and indolent nature with scholarly tastes, had no occupation. He took life easily, and when his studies were finished, he went to live at the family villa situated in the suburb of Aoyama.Toshika was not interested in society, and except for an occasional visit to his home or to his favourite friend, he never went anywhere. Far from the world he spent his days quietly and pleasantly, reading books, tending and watering his flowers, practising the tea-ceremony, and composing poetry and playing on the flute. He was a young man of many accomplishments and studied art. He collected curios and specimens of well-known calligraphy, which all Japanese prize greatly, and he particularly delighted in pictures.One day a certain friend whom Toshika had not seen for several months, came to call upon him. He had just returned from a visit to the seaport of Nagasaki and knowing the young man's tastes had brought with him, as a present, a Chinese drawing of a beautiful woman, which he begged Toshika to accept.Toshika was very pleased with this acquisition to his treasures. He examined the painting carefully, and though he could find no signature of the artist, his knowledge of the subject told him that it was probably drawn by the well-known Chinese painter of the Shin era.It was the portrait of a young woman in the prime of youth, and Toshika felt intuitively that it was a real likeness. The face was one of radiant loveliness, and the longer he gazed at it, the more the charm and fascination of it grew upon him. He carried it to his own room and hung it up in the alcove. Whenever he felt lonely he retired to the solitude of his chamber, and sat for hours before the drawing, looking at it and even addressing it. As the days went by, gradually the picture seemed to glow with life and Toshika began to think of it as a person. He wondered who the original of the portrait could have been, and said that he envied the artist who had been granted the happiness of looking upon her beauty......
Dredd
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Osprey
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Pink Hopper
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
RealmRanger
π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Impulse
I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Street Jolly
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§
Gro
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
MindfulMingle
πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ 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 The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Night Train
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§ I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature. 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!
Tokyo Dream
Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iβm in the story.
Pocket Muzzie
Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
InsightfulInk
ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
Trigger Warming
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Granola
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. β° Waking up to audiobooks β mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! βοΈπ§
Capital F
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. 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!
Toxic-oxide
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
MindfulMingle
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature!
DreamDiver
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful!
IceDog
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true standout. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
ZenZone
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. π This app is a game-changer β its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. ππ§ Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app!
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