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.
Prometheus
Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly.
Nice Gnome
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable.
Lady Killer
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content – it's my new favorite app. 🎉 Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks – this app turns errands into epic quests! 🛒📖 Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Unseen
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. 💡 This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts – it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. 📚🎧
Sprinkle Lovenuts
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Steel Cut Toe
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Mad Robin
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. 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. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Midnight Rambler
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine.
CuriousCoder
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. 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!
Saturn Extreme
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
MicroStar
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Kickstart
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
Manimal
With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. 🌌🎧 The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Are Ess Tee
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. 🎉 Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks – this app turns errands into epic quests! 🛒📖 ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Low Menace
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
Hemingway Mirmillone
With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience.
57 Pixels
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. 📚✨ The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Phoenix Sparrow
Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Prone
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Tweety Bun Bun
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. 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!
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