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.
Sw33per
This audiobook app is a true gem – it brings stories to life with every click. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. 📚🎧 ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Dark Burn
Audiobooks made simple – this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats.
Ship Whip
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖
Reno Monarch
Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. 📱📖 I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Mafia Princess
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! 🌌 Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey – thank you, this app! ✨📚 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀
Father Abbot
Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is commendable. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits.
Pepper Mouse
🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion. The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Fuzzy Rainbow
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
DZE
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. 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!
Tangerine
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
Marshmallow
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Skylark
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. 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!
Pinball Esq
I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. 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!
Cupid Dust
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze.
NexusNomad
🌟 Say goodbye to boredom during long drives – this app makes road trips fly by! 🚗🎉 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Chlorine
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
The Final Judgement
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
Gothic Slacker
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
QuestQuill
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Leaf Assassin
This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files.
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