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.
Terror Master
I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Moonflower
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Spunky Comet
The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Hoboken Nightingale
I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts.
Snout Pixie
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! This app has revolutionized my daily routine – I can't imagine life without it. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's design is a game-changer. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Dorothy Solitaire
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks – it's truly invigorating. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is a game-changer. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Wild Kitten
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧
Unleashed
Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces.
Wonder Lady
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon.
Sw33per
I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one! 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.
Blackfire
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. 📱🔊 ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Cool Law Topping
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session?
Truth
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read – this app is always ready. Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
Master Jetson
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚
Silver Cup
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Sidewalk Enforcer
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy.
Guillotine Trigger
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Upper D3ckR
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. 🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨ Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Sleek Assassin
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. 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! 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!
Highway
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
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