Book description
'What a wonderful book this is. I loved the enchanting and beautifully written story but also the fascinating and thoughtful excursions along the way.' – Nigel Slater‘A garden contains secrets, we all know that: buried elements that might put on strange growth or germinate in unexpected places. The garden that I chose had walls, but like every garden it was interconnected, wide open to the world . . .’In 2020, Olivia Laing began to restore a walled garden in Suffolk, an overgrown Eden of unusual plants. The work drew her into an exhilarating investigation of paradise and its long association with gardens. Moving between real and imagined gardens, from Milton’s Paradise Lost to John Clare’s enclosure elegies, from a wartime sanctuary in Italy to a grotesque aristocratic pleasure ground funded by slavery, Laing interrogates the sometimes shocking cost of making paradise on earth.But the story of the garden doesn’t always enact larger patterns of privilege and exclusion. It’s also a place of rebel outposts and communal dreams. From the improbable queer utopia conjured by Derek Jarman on the beach at Dungeness to the fertile vision of a common Eden propagated by William Morris, new modes of living can and have been attempted amidst the flower beds, experiments that could prove vital in the coming era of climate change.The result is a humming, glowing tapestry, a beautiful and exacting account of the abundant pleasures and possibilities of gardens: not as a place to hide from the world but as a site of encounter and discovery, bee-loud and pollen-laden.
Subzero Taffy
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Mule Skinner
Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. 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.
Bad Beret
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. 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.
QuestQuill
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free.
SunVolt
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
DreadSherX
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! 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! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Shady Prairie
Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Danqqqqq
I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Highlander Monk
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. 🎉 Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks – this app turns errands into epic quests! 🛒📖 ⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧 My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
VisionVoyager
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Magenta
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
Slug-em-dog
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. 🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits.
Black Fantastic
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. 🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset.
Beetle King
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. 📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟 The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Silver Agent
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Switch
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Saturnalia
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. 🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Cross Thread
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Bad Bond
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption.
Hobo Samurai
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress.
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