Audiobook The Observable Universe by Heather McCalden in the ListenBook app
Want to listen to the audiobook The Observable Universe written by Heather McCalden
ListenBook is here to help!
In ListenBook you can listen The Observable Universe and any other audiobooks you download from the internet.
ListenBook is the easiest and most convenient app for listening to audiobooks
in MP3, MP4, OPUS, OGG, FLAC, AWB, M4B, M4A, WMA, AAC formats
on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad!
Book description
Are we ever truly lost in the internet age? The Observable Universe is a moving, genre-defying memoir of a woman reckoning with the loss of her parents, the virus that took them, and what it means to search for meaning in a hyperconnected world. When she was a child, Heather McCalden lost her parents to AIDS. She was seven when her father died and ten when she lost her mother. Growing up in Los Angeles in the 1990s, her personal devastation was mirrored by a city that was ground zero for the virus and its destruction. Years later, after becoming a writer and an artist, she begins to research the mysterious parallels between the histories of AIDS and the internet. She questions what it means to 'go viral' in an era of explosive biological and virtual contagion and simultaneously finds her own past seeping into her investigation. While connecting her disparate strands of research - images, fragments of scientific thought, musings on Raymond Chandler and late-night Netflix binges - she makes an unexpected discovery about what happened to her family and who her parents might have been. Entwining an intensely personal search with a history of viral culture and an ode to Los Angeles, The Observable Universe is a prismatic account of loss calibrated precisely to our existence in a post-pandemic, post-internet life.'A gifted writer's brilliantly innovative approach to autobiographical non-fiction, syncing a narrative of profoundly personal emotion with the invention and evolution of today's cyberspace.'- William Gibson, author of Neuromancer'Part meditation on loss, AIDS, and viral transmission, part howl of grief and fury, The Observable Universe spells out better than anything else I've read the transformative power of the internet. It felt like Maggie Nelson's The Red Parts meets Jia Tolentino's Trick Mirror, and is easily the equal of both.'- Gavin Francis, author of Adventures in Human Being'It isn't pain itself that inspires great art; it's the frenzied avoidance of pain that pushes an artist to do something, anything, other than feel pain. This book is what arises from that practice: the artifact of one writer's solitary, complicated grief. With every carefully, thoughtfully written page, one feels the unwritten grief thudding behind it, beautiful and monstrous. And in the end there's no true story, no solution to the mystery, no final coherence. But there is this marvelous book.'- Sarah Manguso, author of 300 Arguments'An extraordinarily intimate record of grief in connected times, The Observable Universe is poetic and precise, tracing the spiralling connections, but also the empty spaces, the mysteries and emotional complexities the past leaves behind. This book is haunted, and will haunt its reader, too.'- Roisin Kiberd, author of The Disconnect'How is it possible to fit the whole universe in a book? Heather McCalden has miraculously combined far-flung ideas and stories to show the interconnectedness of all things. Bodies and technologies, selves and societies, histories and futures, memories and speculations - McCalden reaches far and wide, and brings it all home. This book is brave and unique.'- Elvia Wilk, author of Death By Landscape'Heather McCalden's The Observable Universe exquisitely undoes our concepts of illness, attachment, and entanglement. This book is not about HIV/AIDS, or about loss: it is born of them both, and so made of them. McCalden asks: if a virus is part of us, is it separate from us? When people die, are they still inside us? Strands of obsession, contagion, and radical inquiry braid together into lyrical meaning, without ever settling into moralistic conclusions or assessments. This book is explosive and profound, unusual and timeless. I believe deeply in the beautiful work it's doing.'- Cyrus Dunham, author of A Year Without a Name'The Observable Universe both soars and tunnels, a feat of kaleidoscopically structured thought that moves with the glowing force of McCalden's voice. It flew me around the world, drove me through my favorite city. It is a smart, supple, nuanced companion through the twinnings of grief and growth, and the ways we forge our lives not despite these, but because of them.'- Johanna Hedva, author of Your Love Is Not Good'Heather McCalden has constructed a masterful debut - it is a work of confident craft, razorwire wit, and unflinching courage. This meditation on virality (in the body and on the internet) as the central metaphor of our time is canny cultural analysis all mixed up with devastating personal investigation. Mixed-up is its central formal feature, in the best way: The Observable Universe is a mixed tape, a photo album, an archive of what's lost and what's left and the fragmented work of sifting through it all for a story we can live with. May this be the first of many books by McCalden.'- Jordan Kisner, author of Thin Places'A remarkable book.'- Noreen Masud, author of A Flat Place'What does it mean to lose two parents to AIDS, to inherit a load of heartbreak? What forms can we invent to write unruly, keening, immoderate subjects? This book is catchy, a contagion of feeling, transmitting in all directions from McCalden's taut and ghost-ridden mind. Its effects are sly and accretive. Beautifully researched and achingly tender, The Observable Universe filled me with awe.'- Kyo Maclear, author of Unearthing'Last night I dreamt I was Heather McCalden again. Which is nothing to be wondered at, when she has written a book which, just like the phenomena it seeks to record - viruses, grief, the internet - has the power to stealthily spread through and reconfigure perception and sensation, shape our experience. But is also very much to be wondered at, because I'm not sure how she does it: like the photo album that The Observable Universe is modelled on, the effect is immersive and cumulative, and seems to defy any sweeping understanding. It strips us of intellectual hubris, returns us to a place of awed humility. Maybe the only thing we can, and should, observe is that this book is like no other.'- Polly Barton, author of Porn: An Oral History
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. ⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧
I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine – it's my ultimate audio companion. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library.
ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
🎙️ The app's functionality is a true work of art – it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. 📚🎨 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. 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!
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚 Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery – a win-win! Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. 🎉 Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks – this app turns errands into epic quests! 🛒📖 The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading.
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! 🎉 Unlocking the door to imagination – this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. 📚🔑 The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫 Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. 🎉📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine – it's my ultimate audio companion. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion.
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. 🏃♂️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! 🏃♂️📖 Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
Trusted by over 100,000 users across the globe
What is ListenBook?
Why ListenBook?
How does it work?
1
Download audiobooks from any site in any of the supported formats.
2
Add audiobooks to the app using any of the many download methods available.
3
Listen to audiobooks by controlling playback from your phone, headphones, Apple Watch or CarPlay.
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
App for those who love audiobooks
ListenBook has the features you need no matter what you are listening to
Listening to fiction
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
Listening to audio lectures
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
Every day, thousands of people download ListenBook to listen to audiobooks.
Now it's your turn to listen to audiobooks without distraction!
