Book description
Finalist for the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction New York Times Bestseller “Sy Montgomery’s The Soul of an Octopus does for the creature what Helen Macdonald’s H Is for Hawk did for raptors.” —New Statesman, UK Starred Booklist and Library Journal Editors’ Spring Pick “One of the best science books of the year” —Science Friday, NPR A Huffington Post Notable Nonfiction Book of the Year One of the Best Books of the Month on Goodreads Library Journal Best Sci-Tech Book of 2015 An American Library Association Notable Book of the Year In this astonishing book from the author of the bestselling memoir The Good Good Pig, Sy Montgomery explores the emotional and physical world of the octopus—a surprisingly complex, intelligent, and spirited creature—and the remarkable connections it makes with humans.Sy Montgomery’s popular 2011 Orion magazine piece, “Deep Intellect,” about her friendship with a sensitive, sweet-natured octopus named Athena and the grief she felt at her death, went viral, indicating the widespread fascination with these mysterious, almost alien-like creatures. Since then Sy has practiced true immersion journalism, from New England aquarium tanks to the reefs of French Polynesia and the Gulf of Mexico, pursuing these wild, solitary shape-shifters. Octopuses have varied personalities and intelligence they show in myriad ways: endless trickery to escape enclosures and get food; jetting water playfully to bounce objects like balls; and evading caretakers by using a scoop net as a trampoline and running around the floor on eight arms. But with a beak like a parrot, venom like a snake, and a tongue covered with teeth, how can such a being know anything? And what sort of thoughts could it think? The intelligence of dogs, birds, and chimpanzees was only recently accepted by scientists, who now are establishing the intelligence of the octopus, watching them solve problems and deciphering the meaning of their color-changing camouflage techniques. Montgomery chronicles this growing appreciation of the octopus, but also tells a love story. By turns funny, entertaining, touching, and profound, The Soul of an Octopus reveals what octopuses can teach us about consciousness and the meeting of two very different minds.
X-Dew
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Silver Cup
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers! 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.
Landfill Max
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Pockets
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go.
NoiseFire
With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Jungle King
The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. 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!
Take Away
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Houston
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. User-friendly audiobook experience – this app's design is a standout.
CuriousCrafter
ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Manimal
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. 📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces.
InsightInkwell
Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
Dream Killer
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚
Sun Washer
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
CirrusFlash
I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Mad Kid
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. 🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫 Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Alberta
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance!
Overrun
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. ListenBook has given me the gift of time – turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
BlackExcalibur
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly.
Boost
Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Copilot
Audiobooks have never been this accessible – this app is a true innovation. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. 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!
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