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.
Moon Radar
This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Scrapple
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. 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!
Turnip King
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library.
Bowler
Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Ba1t
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience!
Ember Master
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Acid Queen
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is remarkable. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Rope
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. 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. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Hoover Spark
This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Ella of Light
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight.
Necromancer
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
Daffy Neo
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
California Goddess
The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Badger the Burglar
This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
ByteBard
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers.
Sienna Princess
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. 👩🍳 Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories – this app adds flavor to my meals! 🍳🎧
Red Pepper
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze.
Cricket
Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Kinged
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly.
CuriousCrafter
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery – a win-win! This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable.
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