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.
Mr. Wholesome
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. 📚 Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks – wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! 👗🎧
Liquid Death
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Eerie Mizzen
Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. 🎉🎧 Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨ The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
Bugger
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Sherm
🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Bug Fire
Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment.
Silver Agent
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
Manly Reno
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Grave Digger
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy.
Gingersnap Woman
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Good William
With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Morbid Sugar
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
FireBerry
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. 🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 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!
The Happy Jock
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Pepper
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
CyberScribe
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
Roadblock
⭐️ 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 user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Shwatson
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way – through audiobooks! Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Carrot Joker
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Parallax Sugar
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
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