Book description
Maybe it's the end of the world, but not for Candace Chen, a millennial, first-generation American and office drone meandering her way into adulthood in Ling Ma's offbeat, wryly funny, apocalyptic satire, Severance."A stunning, audacious book with a fresh take on both office politics and what the apocalypse might bring." --Michael Schaub, NPR.org "A satirical spin on the end times-- kind of like The Office meets The Leftovers." --Estelle Tang, Elle NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY: NPR The New Yorker ("Books We Loved") Elle Marie Claire Amazon Editors The Paris Review (Staff Favorites) Refinery29 Bustle Buzzfeed BookPage Bookish Mental Floss Chicago Review of Books HuffPost Electric Literature A.V. Club Jezebel Vulture Literary Hub Flavorwire Winner of the NYPL Young Lions Fiction Award Winner of the Kirkus Prize for Fiction Winner of the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award Finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel A New York Times Notable Book of 2018 An Indie Next Selection Candace Chen, a millennial drone self-sequestered in a Manhattan office tower, is devoted to routine. With the recent passing of her Chinese immigrant parents, she's had her fill of uncertainty. She's content just to carry on: She goes to work, troubleshoots the teen-targeted Gemstone Bible, watches movies in a Greenpoint basement with her boyfriend. So Candace barely notices when a plague of biblical proportions sweeps New York. Then Shen Fever spreads. Families flee. Companies cease operations. The subways screech to a halt. Her bosses enlist her as part of a dwindling skeleton crew with a big end-date payoff. Soon entirely alone, still unfevered, she photographs the eerie, abandoned city as the anonymous blogger NY Ghost. Candace won't be able to make it on her own forever, though. Enter a group of survivors, led by the power-hungry IT tech Bob. They're traveling to a place called the Facility, where, Bob promises, they will have everything they need to start society anew. But Candace is carrying a secret she knows Bob will exploit. Should she escape from her rescuers? A send-up and takedown of the rituals, routines, and missed opportunities of contemporary life, Ling Ma's Severance is a moving family story, a quirky coming-of-adulthood tale, and a hilarious, deadpan satire. Most important, it's a heartfelt tribute to the connections that drive us to do more than survive.
Lope Lope
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. 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.
Bazooka Har-de-har
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. I'm addicted to this app – it's like having a library in my pocket. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
EchoExplorer
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Tootsie Killer
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. Binaural audio processing is a game-changer – my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions.
Tan Stallion
Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Lord Pistachio
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Freeway
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends – and they all love it! With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment.
ByteBard
🎶📚 My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. 🎧🎶 💪 Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features – audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! 💼🎧 Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Kill Switch
ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Unleashed
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Sneaky Lady
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
New Cycle
Audiobook journey simplified – this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files!
Mirage
I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling.
The Beekeeper
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use.
9Lives
This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
StorySculptor
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. 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.
Hitch Frenzy
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. 🌟 Adding excitement to everyday tasks – this app is my partner in productivity! 📚🚀 Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Parallax Sugar
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Centurion Sherman
I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume.
Icy Avenger
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. 🎉 This app has ignited my passion for reading – I can't get enough of its convenience! 📚🔥 ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear.
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