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.
B@d B0y
π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
MuseMaster
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience.
McDreamy
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. I'm addicted to this app β it's like having a library in my pocket. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Twitch
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
RightN0w2
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PP Dubs
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Dark Matter
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
Pixy Mox
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments.
Spider Fuji
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Silver Cup
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Ladybird
π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Fire Feline
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable.
MythMaker
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§ Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Gullyway
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. πͺ Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier β this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. πΌπ
Greek Rifle
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Sneaky Lady
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content β it's my new favorite app. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
SunnySnap
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. Audiobook pleasure without the fuss β this app's functionality is top-notch. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Muzish
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
K-9
This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go β it's like carrying a library in my pocket. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
NemesisX
πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
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