Book description
Imagine sinking into your headphones for a novel that's supposedly about time travel, but feels like your therapist's overpriced meditation app. Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven, has done it again: crafted a book so quietly brilliant, it makes you question if your own life is just a poorly edited time-loop. The audiobook? A masterclass in deadpan delivery for a plot that's equal parts Doctor Who and The Office-but with more existential dread and fewer staplers.
You follow Edwin, a Victorian-era rebel exiled for ranting at a dinner party, who hears a violin in a forest (because obviously, that's the sound of cosmic chaos). Then there's Olive, a pandemic novelist stranded on a moon colony, whose book-in-a-book contains a passage about exactly the violin scene. And Gaspery, a detective in "Night City" (a place that sounds like a dystopian Airbnb), who's hired to solve... well, time travel, apparently. The whole thing unfurls like a mystery where the clues are just really polite metaphors for "we're all doomed."
Mandel's prose is so calm, you'll think you've been hit with a feather pillow. The New York Times calls it "intellectually playful," but let's be real: it's the literary equivalent of whispering "time is a flat circle" while ignoring the fact that your Wi-Fi's gone out again during the pandemic. The audiobook narrator leans into this perfectly-deadpan, almost bored, as if they're reading a grocery list that happens to involve quantum physics. You'll catch yourself nodding along to lines like, "The universe is a series of unfortunate coincidences," while simultaneously realizing you are the unfortunate coincidence.
And yes, the pandemic novel within the novel? Chef's kiss. It's like Mandel's saying, "Look, we're all stuck in this plague-era time loop, so let's make it about a violin player." The humor here isn't in the book-it's in how we've all been living this plot for the last five years. The moon colony's "artificial beauty"? A direct jab at how we're all trying to curate our perfect lives while chaos (and bad Wi-Fi) eats our reality for breakfast.
But here's the real kicker: Mandel makes you care about this mess. The violin isn't just a plot device-it's the sound of humanity trying to be human despite everything. The audiobook's pacing mirrors this: slow, deliberate, letting the weight of time (and your own existential panic) settle. You'll find yourself pausing it to stare at your ceiling, wondering if your life is just a "time anomaly" caused by a missed train.
So yeah, it's a "bestseller." It's "profound." And honestly? It's the perfect audiobook to listen to while you're also trying to figure out how to order groceries without crying. Because let's face it: if a 1912 violin player and a moon colony can handle time travel, so can you. Just maybe don't write a diatribe at your next dinner party. (Your future self will thank you.)
Moonflower
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life.
ThoughtTracer
The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Dallas Burn
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion.
Sun Runner
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Mosquit-No
I'm addicted to this app – it's like having a library in my pocket. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Kickstart
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
EchoEnigma
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
Eerie Mizzen
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
New Cycle
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Dancing Madman
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Lady Q
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable.
Infinite Hole
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SereneScribe
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Mad Rascal
Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Sapiens
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Whip 2T
The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied.
Twinkle
This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
RoarSweetie
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Street Jolly
The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Reno Monarch
This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
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