Book description
In this lyrical, radically expansive self-portrait, celebrated poet, author, and lecturer Sophie Strand explores--with searing insight and honesty--the intersecting spaces of her own chronic illness, the complex ecology of a changing world, and the very nature of the stories we tell ourselves. At age sixteen Sophie Strand--bright, agile, fearless--is suddenly beset by unexplained, debilitating illness while on a family trip abroad. Her once vibrant life becomes a tangled miasma of medication, specialists, anaphylaxis, and seemingly never-ending attempts to explain what has gone so terribly wrong. And, for many years thereafter, Sophie's life becomes subsumed with ideas not of "health," but of explanation, and the narrative of how and why she became sick. But slowly, through both profound fatigue with the medical industrial complex and a deeply entwined relationship with the natural world, she comes to another, more fundamental understanding of what has happened to her body. What if sickness is not a separation from the body? What if health is not quite so easy to see? What if physical pain leaves us no choice but to return to our bodies, the pinpricks and lightning of illness stitching us back into a physical presence our society has taught us to ignore? In a work both expansively tender and shockingly frank, Sophie Strand offers readers a window onto her own winding journey through the maze of chronic illness--a web not unlike those created by the mycorrizhal fungi whose networks she begins to see as a metaphor for the profound connections between all species and the earth. Grounded deeply in the mountains of the Hudson Valley, each moment of this far-reaching narrative snakes its way through the multi-layered ecology of the land around us, from the stunningly powerful pollen of a phlox plant to the unexpected beauty and wisdom of the woodchuck. The Body Is a Doorway dives into the murky waters of sickness and trauma, as well as the resonant challenges and joys of friendship, young adulthood, first love, and fertility. Throughout, in precise, sparkling language, it explores questions both personal and universal: Is there healing beyond the human? Beyond the hope for a cure or a happy ending? Is there something wilder and more symbiotic beyond narrow ideas of well-being?
About the Author
Sophie Strand is a poet and writer with a focus on the intersection of spirituality, storytelling, and ecology. Her poems and essays have appeared in numerous projects and publications, including Spirituality & Health, Atmos, Braided Way, and Art PAPERS. She is the author of The Flowering Wand and The Madonna Secret, and the creator of the popular Substack "Make Me Good Soil." She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York.
Back Bett
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences.
Winded On Friday
Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Flash Protein
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Leaf Assassin
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Prone
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Demo
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Feral Cookie
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Kickstart
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes – options galore to suit everyone's preferences. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
Lord Nikon
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Black Walnut
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D-Hog-Day
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Silver Rose
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Zod
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy.
RawSkills
Audiobooks have never been this accessible – this app is a true innovation. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
MuseMaster
This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
21st Street
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. 🌌 Elevating my reading routine – this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. 📚🔑 I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
QuestWeaver
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌
Freak
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Eerie
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. 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!
Plegasus
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive.
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