Book description
THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE A TIME BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR From the award-winning, psychologically astute author of The Memory Police, a hypnotic, introspective novel about an affluent Japanese family navigating buried secrets, and their young house guest who uncovers them. "Yoko Ogawa is a quiet wizard, casting her words like a spell, conjuring a world of curiosity and enchantment, secrets and loss. I read Mina's Matchbox like a besotted child, enraptured, never wanting it to end." -Ruth Ozeki, author of The Book of Form and Emptiness In the spring of 1972, twelve-year-old Tomoko leaves her mother behind in Tokyo and boards a train alone for Ashiya, a coastal town in Japan, to stay with her aunt's family. Tomoko's aunt is an enigma and an outlier in her working-class family, and her magnificent home-and handsome foreign husband, the president of a soft drink company-are symbols of that status. The seventeen rooms are filled with German-made furnishings; there are sprawling gardens and even an old zoo where the family's pygmy hippopotamus resides. The family is just as beguiling as their mansion-Tomoko's dignified and devoted aunt, her German great-aunt, and her dashing, charming uncle, who confidently sits as the family's patriarch. At the center of the family is Tomoko's cousin Mina, a precocious, asthmatic girl of thirteen who draws Tomoko into an intoxicating world full of secret crushes and elaborate storytelling. In this elegant jewel box of a book, Yoko Ogawa invites us to witness a powerful and formative interlude in Tomoko's life. Behind the family's sophistication are complications that Tomoko struggles to understand-her uncle's mysterious absences, her great-aunt's experience of the Second World War, her aunt's misery. Rich with the magic and mystery of youthful experience, Mina's Matchbox is an evocative snapshot of a moment frozen in time-and a striking depiction of a family on the edge of collapse. ReviewNamed a Best Book of the Year by TIME, NPR, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Words Without Borders, and BookPage A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice A Most Anticipated Book of the Summer from People, The Atlantic, TIME, Boston Globe, Bustle, and Publishers Weekly A Best Book of August from the Christian Science Monitor A Best New Book of the Week from Parade "A story of first enchantments and last gasps...Effervescent...'We look at the world once, in childhood,' Louise Glück wrote in her 1996 poem 'Nostos.' 'The rest is memory.' Ogawa captures the enduring spark of that imprinting and its oracular glow. We revisit those moments when the match was first struck, when the future still felt like ours to ignite." -New York Times Book Review "Ogawa evokes the secret crushes and crushing secrets of girlhood with charm and elegance." -People "There's such an elegance to the way Mina's Matchbox unfolds...The world Yoko Ogawa builds is quiet, warm and it should feel comforting. But there are peculiarities about the whole thing that keep you on the tips of your toes." -NPRAbout the AuthorYoko Ogawa has won every major Japanese literary award. Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, A Public Space, and Zoetrope: All-Story. Her works include The Memory Police, The Diving Pool, a collection of three novellas; The Housekeeper and the Professor; Hotel Iris; and Revenge. She lives in Ashiya, Japan.
Poptart AK47
Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
EchoEmissary
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 💡 This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts – it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. 📚🎧 Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams!
Moxie
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
AlertXis
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. 🌟 Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? 🚗📖 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟
Woo Woo
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. 📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️ Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free.
Mad Rascal
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Twitch
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. 🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Kazmii
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. 🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨ Effortless and enriching – 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. 📱📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries.
QuestWeaver
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. 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. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide.
RoarSweetie
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. I'm addicted to this app – it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Palomino
📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Third Moon
⭐️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. 🎶📖 ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Campfire Mama
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
SunnySnap
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Ozzie Treat
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Skittle Mine
CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Bambi Wings
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Plegasus
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Lucky Aurora
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Effortless and enriching – 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. 📱📖 The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy.
Marshmallow Treat
🏝️ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures – this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. ☀️📖 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket.
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