Book description
Okay, so let me tell you about this audiobook that completely wrecked my sleep schedule - Machine by Elizabeth Bear.
First off, if you're into space operas that don't hold your hand through the technical stuff but still manage to feel lived-in and real, this one's for you. The narrator does an incredible job bringing Dr. Jens to life - this woman who's been living on bad coffee and alien medical emergencies for fifteen years, and somehow loves every chaotic minute of it.
The setup is deceptively simple: routine rescue mission goes sideways, but then Bear starts peeling back layers like she's unraveling a cosmic onion. Two ships locked together - one ancient, one new - with a crew that's basically falling apart and a shipmind that's trapped and confused. Sounds familiar? It's not. Bear takes what could've been another space mystery and turns it into something genuinely unsettling and original.
What really grabbed me was how the audiobook format made Dr. Jens's voice feel so immediate and personal. You're not just reading about her stumbling through impossible medical cases with alien physiology she's never encountered - you're right there with her, feeling the exhaustion and the excitement. The mystery unfolds naturally, like you're discovering it alongside her, and holy hell does it get dark.
Bear's writing has this thing where she'll hit you with an emotional gut punch right after making you laugh at some perfectly timed sarcastic comment from Jens. The pacing is fantastic - the narrator knows exactly when to lean into the tension and when to let the more contemplative moments breathe.
Seriously, this audiobook will mess with your head in the best possible way. It's smart, it's weird, and it doesn't tie everything up in a neat bow, which I absolutely loved. If you've got a long drive or just want to disappear into some really solid space opera, Machine delivers. Hard.
King Bass
โญ๏ธ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality โ I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ๐๐ง The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Moon Solitaire
ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itโs a fun feature.
Scrapper
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itโs a pleasure to use.
Taz Ringer
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. Audiobooks on demand โ this app's functionality is a true technological gem. Effortless and enriching โ that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. ๐ฑ๐ CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Boost
I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls โ it's a joy to navigate. ๐ถ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators โ audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. ๐ต๐
Texas Butterfly
ListenBookโs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. ListenBookโs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Frosty Snazz
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience.
Pexxious
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. ๐ Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks โ this app turns errands into epic quests! ๐๐ ๐ง My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ๐๐ณ 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!
Romance Princess
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
LocKz
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. The interface is sleek and modern. Itโs a joy to use.
Bambi Benz
This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
Crumb Cake
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. ๐ Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores โ pure joy! ๐๐ The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itโs so easy.
PixelPioneer
Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
Intimidation Station
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. ๐ถ๐ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs โ this app is my go-to playlist! ๐ง๐ This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureโit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureโitโs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Miss Twilight
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life.
Petite Beauty
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. No more carrying heavy books โ this app has transformed my reading habits. ๐๐ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page โ this app is a bedtime dream! ๐ด๐ง ๐ช Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier โ this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. ๐ผ๐ Audiobook multitasking made easy โ this app's functionality is a marvel.
Good-lookinโ
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available โ so much to learn! ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. ๐ก Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background โ talk about productivity! ๐งผ๐ ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Whipsaw
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. ListenBookโs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Wonder Lady
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. I can't get enough of this app โ it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions.
Sofa King
๐ก Making house chores more enjoyable โ audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. ๐ ๐ Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ๐๐ฑ
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