Book description
Michel Faber's The Book of Strange New Things is the kind of audiobook that makes you glad you have functioning ears. It's a sprawling, ambitious sci-fi tear-jerker that somehow balances alien evangelism with earthly heartbreak-no small feat, especially when read aloud. The story follows Peter, a man of faith answering the call to preach to aliens on a distant planet, which sounds like either a very niche missionary trip or the setup to a cosmic sitcom. But Faber isn't here for laughs-at least not the easy ones.
What unfolds is part spiritual odyssey, part marital unraveling, and 100% emotionally exhausting in the best way. As Peter bonds with alien converts who are oddly charmed by his Bible stories (to them, it's basically alien folklore), his wife Bea back home faces increasingly apocalyptic conditions on Earth. Her emails grow more frantic, more desperate, and if you thought long-distance relationships were tough, try intergalactic ones with crumbling infrastructure and no Wi-Fi.
Faber's writing is lush but never showy, and the audiobook format really lets that prose shine-assuming the narrator delivers, of course. The emotional weight of the story hinges on the contrast between Peter's otherworldly naivety and Bea's very grounded despair. It's a bit like Left Behind meets Solaris, with a side of marital therapy gone wrong.
This isn't a quick listen-it's dense, demanding, and deeply moving. But for those who enjoy their fiction with a side of existential dread and a sprinkle of alien theology, it's a journey worth taking. Just don't start it right before bed unless you enjoy sobbing into your pillow.
Dora the Destroyer
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze.
Jelly Camber
User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
Darling Peacock
π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. 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.
Lightweight
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Most Wanted
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly.
EchoExplorer
Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Shamrock
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
Drift
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is a game-changer. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Curio
This app is a time-saver β I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Steel
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Acetic Princess
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Wiccan Thunder
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again β it's a must-have. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Miss Fix It
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
TrinitySoul
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Legacy
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnβt stop listening.
Romance Princess
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless.
Stud muffin
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient.
Z-Boy
I've found my new favorite way to relax β cuddled up with an audiobook. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
Alley Cat
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Pixie Taze
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
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