Book description
An impassioned homage to the divas who shake up our world and transform it with their bold, dazzling artistry. What does it mean to be a "diva"? A shifting, increasingly loaded term, it has been used to both deride and celebrate charismatic and unapologetically fierce performers like Aretha Franklin, Divine, and the women of Labelle. In this brilliant, powerful blend of incisive criticism and electric memoir, Deborah Paredez-scholar, cultural critic, and lifelong diva devotee-unravels our enduring fascination with these icons and explores how divas have challenged American ideas about feminism, performance, and freedom. American Diva journeys into Tina Turner's scintillating performances, Celia Cruz's command of the male-dominated salsa world, the transcendent revival of Jomama Jones after a period of exile, and the unparalleled excellence of Venus and Serena Williams. Recounting how she and her mother endlessly watched Rita Moreno's powerhouse portrayal of Anita in West Side Story and how she learned much about being bigger than life from her fabulous Tía Lucia, Paredez chronicles the celebrated and skilled performers who not only shaped her life but boldly expressed the aspiration for freedom among brown, Black, and gay communities. Paredez also traces the evolution of the diva through the decades, dismayed at the mid-aughts' commodification and juvenilizing of its meaning but finding its lasting beauty and power. Filled with sharp insights and great heart, American Diva is a spirited tribute to the power of performance and the joys of fandom.
Rope
ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. I can’t believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Natural Gold
🌟 Adding excitement to everyday tasks – this app is my partner in productivity! 📚🚀 User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. 📖📱
Romance Guppy
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. 🚶♀️🌌 This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure – I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. 🏞️📖 My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Tart Voodoo
🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Ozzie Treat
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips.
xFRST
Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
LoreLoomer
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱 With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience!
Fresh Peper
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Fl00d
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. 🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. 🎉🎧 ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps.
TeederSmartie
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits – it's a game-changer. 💪 Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features – audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! 💼🎧
MeeP
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Feral Mayhem
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! 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!
Dr. WMD
Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Crash Test
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. Audiobook adventures simplified – this app's functionality is a revelation. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
PixelPathfinder
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Firecracker
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. 📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus!
Psycho Thinker
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
SneakerKid
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. 🎶 Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! 🎶📖 Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Spoiler
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱 Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it!
360
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use.
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