Book description
The Christian Science Monitor's #1 Best Book of the Year A witty, informative, and popular travelogue about the Scandinavian countries and how they may not be as happy or as perfect as we assume, "The Almost Nearly Perfect People offers up the ideal mixture of intriguing and revealing facts" (Laura Miller, Salon). Journalist Michael Booth has lived among the Scandinavians for more than ten years, and he has grown increasingly frustrated with the rose-tinted view of this part of the world offered up by the Western media. In this timely book he leaves his adopted home of Denmark and embarks on a journey through all five of the Nordic countries to discover who these curious tribes are, the secrets of their success, and, most intriguing of all, what they think of one another. Why are the Danes so happy, despite having the highest taxes? Do the Finns really have the best education system? Are the Icelanders as feral as they sometimes appear? How are the Norwegians spending their fantastic oil wealth? And why do all of them hate the Swedes? In The Almost Nearly Perfect People Michael Booth explains who the Scandinavians are, how they differ and why, and what their quirks and foibles are, and he explores why these societies have become so successful and models for the world. Along the way a more nuanced, often darker picture emerges of a region plagued by taboos, characterized by suffocating parochialism, and populated by extremists of various shades. They may very well be almost nearly perfect, but it isn't easy being Scandinavian.
Sugar Man
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. 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.
21st Street
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
SubWoof330
ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs. 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!
Grotas
👩🍳 Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories – this app adds flavor to my meals! 🍳🎧 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings.
Grave Scuttlebutt
🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Pusher
This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever.
Viceswerve
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes.
Milan Call Back
This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. 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.
Burst Nibbler
Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
M8deUp
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. 💡 The future of audiobook listening is here – this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. 🎧🔮 Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Icy Avenger
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience.
Plegasus
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. 🎙️ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt – what a game-changer! 🛒📚 💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 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.
Undergrad
💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience! Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Iron Butterfly
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. 🎉 This app has ignited my passion for reading – I can't get enough of its convenience! 📚🔥 Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Mad Jack
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. 📱 It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. 📚🔥 I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Orange Teflon
This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟 Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
Mum Mary
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Baby Spell
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience – it's like having a personal audio library. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Lord Pistachio
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
VisionVoyager
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
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