Book description
For decades now, Adam Gopnik has been one of our most beloved writers, a brilliantly perceptive critic of art, food, France, and more. But recently, he became obsessed by a more fundamental matter, one he had often meditated on in The New Yorker: How do masters learn their miraculous skill, whether it was drawing a museum-ready nude or baking a perfect sourdough loaf? How could anyone become so good at anything? There seemed to be a fundamental mystery to mastery. Was it possible to unravel it? In The Real Work--the term magicians use for the accumulated craft that makes for a great trick--Gopnik becomes a dedicated student of several masters of their craft: a classical painter, a boxer, a dancing instructor, a driving instructor, and others. Rejecting self-help bromides and bullet points, he nevertheless shows that the top people in any field share a set of common qualities and methods. For one, their mastery is always a process of breaking down and building up--of identifying and perfecting the small constituent parts of a skill and the combining them for an overall effect greater than the sum of those parts. For another, mastery almost always involves intentional imperfection--as in music, where vibrato, a way of not quite landing on the right note, carries maximum expressiveness. Gopnik's simplest and most invigorating lesson, however, is that we are surrounded by mastery. Far from rare, mastery is commonplace, if we only know where to look: from the parent who can whip up a professional strudel to the social worker who--in one of the most personally revealing passages Gopnik has ever written--helps him master his own demons. Spirited and profound, The Real Work will help you understand how mastery can happen in your own life--and, significantly, why each of us relentlessly seeks to better ourselves in the first place.
Moon Cricket
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Shy Warrior
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
ELLerG!c
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
VisionVortex
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧
Dorothy Solitaire
Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. The app's performance is remarkable – it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use.
Innocent Ghost
🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖 Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧
Steel Solstice
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Pyscho Hun
🏃♂️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! 🏃♂️📖 Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
Fatsy Bear
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true.
Bleachers
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Murmur
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Speedwell
The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Hightower
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Slinger
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
Darkside Orbit
This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Effortlessly immersing in stories – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
ForumFlare
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
MysticMingle
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. ListenBook's commitment to user experience shines through its thoughtful design and seamless functionality.
Cougar Fuzz
This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Twisty Freesia
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Eight Patrol
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
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