Book description
From the bestselling author of Why We Swim comes a mind-expanding exploration of muscle that will change the way you think about what moves us through the world. “Remarkable . . . A singular book about the true meanings of strength and flexibility, about our ability to define who we are and who we might be.” —Ed Yong, New York Times bestselling author of An Immense World and I Contain Multitudes In On Muscle, Bonnie Tsui brings her signature blend of science, culture, immersive reporting, and personal narrative to examine not just what muscles are but what they mean to us. Cardiac, smooth, skeletal—these three different types of muscle in our bodies make our hearts beat; push food through our intestines, blood through our vessels, babies out the uterus; attach to our bones and allow for motion. Tsui also traces how muscles have defined beauty—and how they have distorted it—through the ages, and how they play an essential role in our physical and mental health. Tsui introduces us to the first female weightlifter to pick up the famed Scottish Dinnie Stones, then takes us on a 50-mile run through the Nevada desert that follows the path of escape from a Native boarding school—and gives the concept of endurance new meaning. She travels to Oslo, where cutting-edge research reveals how muscles help us bounce back after injury and illness, an important aspect of longevity. She jumps into the action with a historic Double Dutch club in Washington, D.C., to explain anew what Charles Darwin meant by the brain-body connection. Woven throughout are stories of Tsui’s childhood with her Chinese immigrant artist dad—a black belt in karate—who schools her from a young age in a kind of quirky, in-house Muscle Academy. On Muscle shows us the poetry in the physical, and the surprising ways muscle can reveal what we’re capable of.
Grinch Cheese
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. 🎉 My audiobook haven – this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! 📚🔑 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment.
Baked ZD
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖
LuminaLore
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Dewdrop Doll
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature! Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Sass Burst
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Stick Shift
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖
Onion King
🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
Feral Filly
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency!
Snake Eyes
With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. 🎶📚 My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. 🎧🎶 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Airport Hobo
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
Baked ZD
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Wanted Candy
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend!
Po1son
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. 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. I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Black Mustard
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again.
Hog Butcher
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
Stud Buster
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
NoiseCake
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊 With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! 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!
Screwtape
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail.
Purity
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
DreamDiver
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
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