Book description
The New York Times bestselling author of The Year of Living Biblically goes on a rollicking journey to understand the enduring power of puzzles- why we love them, what they do to our brains, and how they can improve our world.
"Even though I've never attempted the New York Times crossword puzzle or solved the Rubik's Cube, I couldn't put down The Puzzler."-Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before
What makes puzzles-jigsaws, mazes, riddles, sudokus-so satisfying? Be it the formation of new cerebral pathways, their close link to insight and humor, or their community-building properties, they're among the fundamental elements that make us human. Convinced that puzzles have made him a better person, A.J. Jacobs-four-time New York Times bestselling author, master of immersion journalism, and nightly crossworder-set out to determine their myriad benefits. And maybe, in the process, solve the puzzle of our very existence. Well, almost.
In The Puzzler, Jacobs meets the most zealous devotees, enters (sometimes with his family in tow) any puzzle competition that will have him, unpacks the history of the most popular puzzles, and aims to solve the most impossible head-scratchers, from a mutant Rubik's Cube, to the hardest corn maze in America, to the most sadistic jigsaw. Chock-full of unforgettable adventures and original examples from around the world-including new work by Greg Pliska, one of America's top puzzle-makers, and a hidden, super-challenging but solvable puzzle that will earn the first reader to crack it a $10,000 prize-The Puzzler will open readers' eyes to the power of flexible thinking and concentration. Whether you're puzzle obsessed or puzzle hesitant, you'll walk away with real problem-solving strategies and pathways toward becoming a better thinker and decision maker-for these are certainly puzzling times.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. U.S. Residents, 18+. Ends May 3, 2023. Additional terms and conditions may apply. See book for details.
Clover Dragon
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ
The Dude
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Pinball Esq
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
Lewd Dice
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π
Pixie
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends.
Pop Bee
ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life.
B@d B0y
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Acid Queen
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Gold Bentley
Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Flash
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Hemingway Mirmillone
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Freak
Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is top-notch. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Mr. Wholesome
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Old Regret
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Sky Trinity
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Blood Taker
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius.
Lime
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Twinkle
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. 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.
Bang Shift
Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Washer
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
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