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
PixelPioneer
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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! Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
VenusXX
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true triumph. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Little General
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. 💼 Enhancing work-from-home productivity – audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. 💻📖 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Fist Wizard
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable.
Indigo Red
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Foot-long Fry
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching.
Snapdragon
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time.
Video Game Heroine
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Spunky Comet
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Moon Radar
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Murder Matter
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. 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.
Pockets
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments.
Good-lookin’
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Drift
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
ThoughtTraveler
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Demo Tequila
This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. 🏝️ Basking in the sun with an audiobook – relaxation meets storytelling paradise! ☀️📖 Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
NightWonka
I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Most Wanted
🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. 📚🎧 Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment.
Scuffs
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Flyswat Briggs
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match.
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