Book description
The long-awaited first short story-collection by the author of the cult sensation Convenience Store Woman, tales of weird love, heartfelt friendships, and the unsettling nature of human existenceWith Life Ceremony, the incomparable Sayaka Murata is back with her first collection of short stories ever to be translated into English. In Japan, Murata is particularly admired for her short stories, which are sometimes sweet, sometimes shocking, and always imbued with an otherworldly imagination and uncanniness.In these twelve stories, Murata mixes an unusual cocktail of humor and horror to portray both the loners and outcasts as well as turning the norms and traditions of society on their head to better question them. Whether the stories take place in modern-day Japan, the future, or an alternate reality is left to the reader's interpretation, as the characters often seem strange in their normality in a frighteningly abnormal world. In "A First-Rate Material," Nana and Naoki are happily engaged, but Naoki can't stand the conventional use of deceased people's bodies for clothing, accessories, and furniture, and a disagreement around this threatens to derail their perfect wedding day. "Lovers on the Breeze" is told from the perspective of a curtain in a child's bedroom that jealously watches the young girl Naoko as she has her first kiss with a boy from her class and does its best to stop her. "Eating the City" explores the strange norms around food and foraging, while "Hatchling" closes the collection with an extraordinary depiction of the fractured personality of someone who tries too hard to fit in.In these strange and wonderful stories of family and friendship, sex and intimacy, belonging and individuality, Murata asks above all what it means to be a human in our world and offers answers that surprise and linger.
RiddleRanger
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient.
Palomino Cake
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ 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.
Santa's Little Helper
Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Cumulo
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention.
MindfulMingle
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Nickname Master
πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
HOV
Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook! ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Sky
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Ice
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
NoiseFire
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience.
Delirious Supernova
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is a triumph.
Digital Moonshine
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Video Game Heroine
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move β it's like having a tutor by my side. πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
Gentle Avenger
π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
FlyGuardX
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Whipsaw
I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze.
Raid Bucker
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings.
Show Off
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically.
ByteBard
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time.
QuantumQuipper
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
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