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.
Troublemasher
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Sugar Apple
The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience.
Abiss
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Genghis Glyph
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook! This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Guillotine
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
RawSkills
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
DanimalDaze
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features.
Sir Squire
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities.
Die Slice
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§ π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ« The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius.
Redneck Giorgio
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable.
Bazooka Har-de-har
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ I love the auto-rewind feature. Itβs great for when I zone out.
Gamer Bean
π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
DreamDasher
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
VisionVortex
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Soiled Dove
Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
VileHero
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving.
Treasure Devil
βοΈ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ππ ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
RiddleRanger
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks.
Darkside Hooker
The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Pixie Soldier
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
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