Book description
Named a Most Anticipated Book by TIME, Oprah Daily, The Boston Globe, ELLE, Bustle, and Lit Hub"A brilliant ghost story and a profoundly moving and atmospheric meditation on place, memory, and the very nature of reality, where everything is truly not as it seems." --Mona Awad, author of Rouge "A wholly original and epically engaging novel from a master of episodic oddity." --Rachel Yoder, author of Nightbitch A heart-racing fun house of uncanniness hidden in Florida's underbelly from the celebrated Laura van den Berg It's another summer in a small Florida town. After an illness that vanishes as mysteriously as it arrived, everything appears to be getting back to normal: soul-crushing heat, torrential downpours, sinkholes swallowing the earth, ominous cats, a world-bending virtual reality device being handed out by a company called ELECTRA, and an increasing number of posters dotting the streets with the faces of missing citizens. Living in her mother's home, a ghostwriter for a famous thriller author tracks the eerie changes. On top of everything else, she's contending with family secrets, spotty memories ofher troubled youth, a burgeoning cult in the living room, and the alarming expansion of her own bellybutton. Then, during a violent rainstorm, her sister goes missing. She returns a few days later, sprawled on their mother's lawn and speaking of another dimension. Now the ghostwriter must investigate not only what happened to her sister and the other missing people but also the uncanny connections between ELECTRA, the famous author she works for, and reality itself. A sticky, rain-soaked reckoning with the elusive nature of selfhood and storytelling, Laura van den Berg's State of Paradise is an intricate and page-turning whirlwind. With inimitable control and thrilling style, van den Berg reaches deep into the void and returns with a story far stranger than either reality or fiction.
About the Author
Laura van den Berg is the author of three story collections, including I Hold a Wolf by the Ears, which was named one the ten best fiction books of 2020 by Time, and the novels Find Me and The Third Hotel, which was a finalist for the NYPL Young Lions Fiction Award. She is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Strauss Living Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Bard Fiction Prize, a PEN/O. Henry Award, and a MacDowell Colony Fellowship, and she is a two-time finalist for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award. Born and raised in Florida, she splits her time between the Boston area and Central Florida.
Cool Whip
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Popeye Wipeout
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app – it's like being in the story. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Cougar Fuzz
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever.
Trash
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Twine X
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Pompeii Unicorn
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
ForumFlare
I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Spitfire
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Sir Squire
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's pure bliss. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Short Firecracker
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
High Beam
Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Opulent Gamer
🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Super Flick
Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs.
Gold Bentley
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Firefly Caramel
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
Steel Heart
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Bombay Shivers
Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. 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!
Call Back Queen
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Captain Peroxide
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable!
Sylvester Eye
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
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