Book description
"I loved--and to a slightly uncomfortable degree related to--this book."Charles Bethea, staff writer at The New YorkerFunny, perceptive, and deeply personal, Mediocre Monk follows Grant Lindsley's rocky journey toward spiritual growth--one that ultimately leads him to places he never imagined.After the sudden death of a friend, Grant Lindsley abandons his corporate job to train as a monk in one of the strictest Buddhist traditions on earth. Lost and bereft, he believes he can find answers in the mountains of Thailand. He shaves his head and eyebrows, eats one bowl of food a day, and lives in a cave, his solitude punctuated by brushes with snakes, scorpions, and drug smugglers.But Lindsley can't transform himself into the profound guru he envisions--he's hungry, restless, and lacking in the humility that monkhood requires. Eventually, he exhausts himself into moments of genuine growth, but not in the way he expects. Rather than transcending grief and becoming entirely self-reliant, he is surprised to find solace in allowing pain and reopening himself to community.For anyone who has nurtured a fantasy of dropping out in search of answers, Mediocre Monk suggests a reality that is far more complicated--and rewarding.
Beetle King
๐ Making every moment count โ this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! ๐๐ซ ListenBookโs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Sky Trinity
Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward โ thank you, app! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature! ListenBookโs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Old Regret
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Atlantic Rim
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need.
MysticMingle
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
Dove Dolce
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. 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.
ForumFusion
Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Pocket Muzzie
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Dahlia
๐ก Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background โ talk about productivity! ๐งผ๐ ๐ฅ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears โ audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. ๐ต๐ Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
High Deck
This app has reignited my passion for literature โ I'm devouring books like never before. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
Sassy Muffin
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ๐๐ Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Zod
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal โ unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. Simplifying my reading routine โ this app's ease of use is remarkable. ListenBookโs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Iron Jesus
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful.
Marshmallow Treat
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ๐๐ฑ
Intimidation Station
I'm hooked on this app โ it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail.
Demand Chopper
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app โ it's a constant source of joy.
Parallax Sugar
Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Snout Pixie
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
Moon Solitaire
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls โ it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Liquid Death
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator.
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