Book description
A new novel from the Booker-shortlisted authorA POWERFUL NEW NOVEL FROM THE PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AND BOOKER-SHORTLISTED AUTHOR OF THE OVERSTORY AND BEWILDERMENT'Is there anything Richard Powers cannot write? The world here is complete, seductive, and promising. The writing feels like the ocean. Vast, mysterious, deep and alive' PERCIVAL EVERETT'An extraordinarily immersive journey through lives linked in mysterious ways - gripping, alarming and uplifting' EMMA DONOGHUERafi and Todd are two polar opposites at an elite high school where they bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game. It sets them up for life: Rafi will get lost in literature, while Todd's work will lead to a startling AI breakthrough.Elsewhere, Evie Beaulieu sinks to the bottom of a swimming pool in Montreal strapped to one of the world's first aqualungs; Ina Aroita grows up in naval bases across the Pacific with art as her only home.All of these people meet on the history-scarred island of Makatea in French Polynesia, marked for humanity's next great adventure: a plan to send floating, autonomous cities out into the open sea. As the seasteaders close in, how will Evie play the ever-unfolding oceanic game? Will Ina engage in acts of destruction? Todd and Rafi, now estranged, still find themselves in competition: Todd unravels while working on an idea to redraw the boundaries of human immortality, while Rafi and the residents must decide if they will greenlight the new project on their shores and change their home forever.Set in the world's largest ocean, Playground explores that last wild place we have yet to colonize and interweaves profound themes of technology and the environment, and a deep exploration of our shared humanity in a way only Richard Powers can.'Powers is a master of taking important topics of our times - from threats to our oceans and climate change to AI - and turning them into riveting and fiercely relevant books imbued with psychological insight and a deep awe for nature. This eloquent dance of the scientific and emotional makes him one of our finest story tellers. PLAYGROUND is brilliant, captivating and important - and the best book I've read this year' ANDREA WULFMore praise for Richard Powers:'Powers has extraordinary gifts as a writer' GUARDIAN'Impressively precise in its scientific conjectures, Bewilderment is no less rich or wise in its emotionality' OBSERVER'He composes some of the most beautiful sentences I've ever read. I'm in awe of his talent' OPRAH WINFREY'It is impossible to deny the importance of Powers's message' SUNDAY TIMES'Refreshing, original and moving' EVENING STANDARD
PixelPioneer
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Bleach
Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
Frosty Sunshine
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Dewdrop Doll
Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied.
Captain Peroxide
💡 This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! 📱👩🍳 A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Queen Ginger
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. 🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨ Streamlining audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is truly impressive. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Troubled Pie
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability.
Curio
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Overrun
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Danger Menace
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph.
Fire Sass
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Call Back Queen
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. 🎙️ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt – what a game-changer! 🛒📚
Freeze Queen
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic. 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!
Digital Moonshine
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Disco Thunder
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
PixelPilgrim
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Po1son
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. 🔥 Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears – audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. 🎵📖 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable.
Snout Pixie
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Stud
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 🌌 Elevating my reading routine – this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. 📚🔑 Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖 ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality.
Wheels
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching.
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