Book description
Magnificent . . . A tour de force of literature and love.--Vogue Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is raucous. It hums with a dark refulgence from its first pages. . . . Singular and electric . . . [Winterson's] life with her adoptive parents was often appalling, but it made her the writer she is.--The New York Times [Winterson is] one of the most daring and inventive writers of our time--searingly honest yet effortlessly lithe as she slides between forms, exuberant and unerring, demanding emotional and intellectual expansion of herself and of us. . . . In Why Be Happy, , [Winterson's] emotional life is laid bare . . . [in] a bravely frank narrative of truly coming undone. For someone in love with disguises, Winterson's openness is all the more moving; there's nothing left to hide, and nothing left to hide behind.--Elle Jeanette Winterson's bold and revelatory novels have earned her widespread acclaim, establishing her as a major figure in world literature. She has written some of the most admired books of the past few decades, including her internationally best-selling first novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, the story of a young girl adopted by Pentecostal parents, that is now often required reading in contemporary fiction classes. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is a memoir about a life's work to find happiness. It is a book full of stories: about a girl locked out of her home, sitting on the doorstep all night; about a religious zealot disguised as a mother who has two sets of false teeth and a revolver in the dresser, waiting for Armageddon; about growing up in a north England industrial town now changed beyond recognition; about the universe as a cosmic dustbin. It is the story of how a painful past, which Winterson thought she had written over and repainted, rose to haunt her later in life, sending her on a journey into madness and out again, in search of her biological mother. It is also a book about other people's literature, one that shows how fiction and poetry can form a string of guiding lights, a life raft that supports us when we are sinking. Witty, acute, fierce, and celebratory, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is a tough-minded search for belonging--for love, identity, home, and a mother.
Miss Twilight
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodβwhat a creative addition! The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Domino Combat
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Dahlia Bumble
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. 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.
NexusNavigator
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Tangerine
π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π π The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. π±π ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. 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!
Criss Cross
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge.
Moon Radar
πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Delicious Cupid
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. 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± 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± ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Lope Lope
I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Suicide Jockey
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier β this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. π±π§ The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Mr. Fabulous
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination.
Mental
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Domino
π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
Gingersnap Woman
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Troublemasher
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
QuantumQuill
π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Spit Turanga
πΆββοΈπ Exploring stories as I stroll β audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. ποΈπ§ ππ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration β this app keeps me engaged on the road! ππ§ I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Pinball Esq
Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier β this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. π±π§ CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature! ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Barbera Shift
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
PixelPathfinder
Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
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