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.
High Deck
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. 🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app. 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!
3D Waffle
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.
Phoenix Sparrow
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable.
Sun Runner
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling.
Atomic Blastoid
I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate.
Bat Magenta
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. 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!
Delicious Cupid
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. 🌌🎧 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket.
Third Moon
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
Fatsy Bear
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner.
Highlander Monk
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring!
Gold Bentley
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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!
Irish Dze
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. 🌌 Elevating my reading routine – this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. 📚🔑 Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖 ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps.
Upper D3ckR
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. 🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Lunar Treat
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
3P-own
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks.
Dancing Madman
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. 📱 My pocket-sized library – this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! 📚📱 The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks!
High Heel Goddess
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Tan Stallion
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Flyswat Briggs
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
CommandX
As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata.
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