Book description
Poetry Book Society Recommendation Spring 2025darling slough,i love you like rain.graveyard with no tombstones.adventure playground some childrenplay on, others lie underneath. i can’t walk through the newbuildswithout hearing the men i lovedbleating inside you. The debut poetry collection from award-winning writer and spoken word artist, Desree, Altar explores multifaceted dimensions of sacrifice, challenging its heroism and examining its ties to servility. The poems in Altar urge their protagonists to play neither lion nor lamb, but to live and flourish on their own terms. Each page glimmers with vivid, often devastating vignettes: we witness the resilience of youth, the strength of the Black female body, the complexity of chosen and unchosen family, the sweeping effects of gentrification. Through reflections on Black British identity, queer joy, place and belonging, faith and consent, Desree invites the reader on a journey of reclamation, while her wry wit and disarming tenderness hold us through the necessary storms that mark the way.“Altar is a collection of wonder and witness. These poems — both powerful and tender — grapple with the parallels of life and death, the body and spirit, loss and love, and demand a response.” Rachel Long “This is thrilling writing. Unexpected, alive, and curious. Desree enters the page, stage left.” Joelle Taylor “Altar has so much of what I love about poetry. Masterful juxtapositions, humour and surrealism; epiphanies that shift your world a few inches to the left – enough for you to notice but still function. For those of us who wonder if we’ve been ‘turned off at the wall’, Desree’s poems act as a hallway: we drop off selves we didn’t realise we were carrying, and return, new and re-accepted into our own arms. Desree is one of the brightest of us, and Altar allows us to take in her genius.” Kareem Parkins-Brown
Jungle King
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. 📱 My pocket-sized library – this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! 📚📱 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Sandbox
Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
McDreamy
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Lucky Brandy
The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. 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.
Flame OUT
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Troublemasher
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is remarkable. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey.
Pink Nightmare
This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Kickstart
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Cereal Killer
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Stickers
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. 🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠 Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. I’ve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Wildcat Talent
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. This app's library is a treasure trove – I'm always discovering new favorites. ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
FearLeSS
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
Gentle Avenger
No more straining my eyes to read – now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
PixelPioneer
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. 🔥 Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine – this app is my secret weapon! ✨📖 ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Trash Pocky
ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
Acetic Princess
Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
Pitfall Whiskers
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings.
Dandelion
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! 🎙️ The app's functionality is a true work of art – it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. 📚🎨 ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer!
DreamDasher
💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Die Slice
This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
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