Book description
INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER "Masterful...A book of inner journeys told through extraordinary exteriors...One of his very best." --Washington Post "Dazzling." --Time Magazine, Best Books of 2023 From "one of the most soulful and perceptive writers of our time" (Brain Pickings): a journey through competing ideas of paradise to see how we can live more peacefully in an ever more divided and distracted world.Paradise: that elusive place where the anxieties, struggles, and burdens of life fall away. Most of us dream of it, but each of us has very different ideas about where it is to be found. For some it can be enjoyed only after death; for others, it's in our midst--or just across the ocean--if only we can find eyes to see it. Traveling from Iran to North Korea, from the Dalai Lama's Himalayas to the ghostly temples of Japan, Pico Iyer brings together a lifetime of explorations to upend our ideas of utopia and ask how we might find peace in the midst of difficulty and suffering. Does religion lead us back to Eden or only into constant contention? Why do so many seeming paradises turn into warzones? And does paradise exist only in the afterworld - or can it be found in the here and now? For almost fifty years Iyer has been roaming the world, mixing a global soul's delight in observing cultures with a pilgrim's readiness to be transformed. In this culminating work, he brings together the outer world and the inner to offer us a surprising, original, often beautiful exploration of how we might come upon paradise in the midst of our very real lives.
Breezy Mustang
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Y0dler
π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π π This app's functionality is a masterpiece β it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. ππ¨ Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. π§π± ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Mother Hen
Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience.
Shady Prairie
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is top-notch. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Plegasus
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Mr. Gadget
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. 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.
Snow Hound
I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Judge
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. π§ Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs β this app has it all! ππΌ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
StorySculptor
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Girl Brownie
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. πΆββοΈπ§ Walking has never been this productive β exploring new worlds while I exercise! ποΈπ« Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Alley Fiend
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives.
Whipsaw
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Cujo
The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
Orange Teflon
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. πΌ Workday blues? Not anymore β this app turns my office hours into reading time! π»π π± My secret to staying well-read β this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! ππ± The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Sprinkle Lovenuts
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged.
Devil Blade
βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
JK Friend
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§ The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Hella Fella
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning.
The Beekeeper
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ποΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. πΆπ What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
PixelPilgrim
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
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