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.
Emerald Goddess
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
White Snare
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Romance Guppy
Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
MuseMaster
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy.
ShadowDancer
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. 🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖 No more hassle with formats – this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Clang Glyph
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Goatee Shield
Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Devil Chick
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
MuseMaster
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Dancing Madman
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done!
Ember Master
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
EchoEnigma
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. ⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Loot
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Scrapper
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience – it's like having a personal audio library. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Lucky Aurora
This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚 Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
QuantumQuill
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts. 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!
High Kingdom Warrior
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly.
ForumFlare
Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Airport Hobo
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
Pitfall Whiskers
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
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