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.
Sly Silvermoon
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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! This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Flotsams54
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. 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!
Versace-Cat
This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Seattle Jay
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes.
Oblivion
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧
Free Ham
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Knuckles
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
21st Street
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧
CuriousCoder
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Tall Honey
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. 🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Liquid Death
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Trigger Warming
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. 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.
Natural Mess
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. 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!
Bowie
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! 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!
Tse Tse Guy
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. 👀📚 Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier – this app's soothing voices 😴🎧 CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Sidewalk Enforcer
🎧 Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. 📚📱 ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Z-Boy
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. 🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential!
The Happy Jock
📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Cabbie
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth.
MindfulMingle
⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom!
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