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.
Fadey
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Pixie Soldier
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes – options galore to suit everyone's preferences.
LuminaLore
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance – it's like having a personal audiobook curator. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Rope
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚 ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Soda Delirium
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Romance Princess
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Canary Apple Red
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great! The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Sandbox
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
Voluntary
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Mafia Princess
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Sapiens
Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips.
Woo Woo
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side.
Elektrik
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️
Knight Light
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! ☀️🎧
Spunky Chick
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. I'm grateful for this app – it's made reading a part of my everyday life. 🎉 The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. 📱🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Roadblock
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Wild Hair
ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Good-lookin’
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback.
Don Stab
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book – brilliant! If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution!
JigKraken
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
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