Book description
From the bestselling author of Cultish and host of the podcast Sounds Like a Cult, a delicious blend of cultural criticism and personal narrative that explores our cognitive biases and the power, disadvantages, and highlights of magical thinking. Utilizing the linguistic insights of her "witty and brilliant" (Blyth Roberson, author of America the Beautiful?) first book Wordslut and the sociological explorations of her breakout hit Cultish, Amanda Montell now turns her erudite eye to the inner workings of the human mind and its biases in her most personal and electrifying work yet. "Magical thinking" can be broadly defined as the belief that one's internal thoughts can affect unrelated events in the external world: Think of the conviction that one can manifest their way out of poverty, stave off cancer with positive vibes, thwart the apocalypse by learning to can their own peaches, or transform an unhealthy relationship to a glorious one with loyalty alone. In all its forms, magical thinking works in service of restoring agency amid chaos, but in The Age of Magical Overthinking, Montell argues that in the modern information age, our brain's coping mechanisms have been overloaded, and our irrationality turned up to an eleven. In a series of razor sharp, deeply funny chapters, Montell delves into a cornucopia of the cognitive biases that run rampant in our brains, from how the "Halo effect" cultivates worship (and hatred) of larger than life celebrities, to how the "Sunk Cost Fallacy" can keep us in detrimental relationships long after we've realized they're not serving us. As she illuminates these concepts with her signature brilliance and wit, Montell's prevailing message is one of hope, empathy, and ultimately forgiveness for our anxiety-addled human selves. If you have all but lost faith in our ability to reason, Montell aims to make some sense of the senseless. To crack open a window in our minds, and let a warm breeze in. To help quiet the cacophony for a while, or even hear a melody in it.
Sir Shove
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
DZE
πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨
NexusNomad
Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Show Off
ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
Legacy
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ No need to convert files anymore β ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Blinker
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Delirium
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Plenty Orange
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. I've become addicted to this app β in the best possible way! Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me.
StormCake
ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
New York Mood
I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Sapiens
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Upper D3ckR
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Dora the Destroyer
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Screwtape
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks!
Cougar Fuzz
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π
Willow Dragon
Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient β it's like having a personal narrator. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day.
Springheel Jack
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content β it's my new favorite app. π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Lucky Martian
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Iron Butterfly
Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
Tan Stallion
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π
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