Book description
In the late 1950s, Random House editor Jason Epstein would talk jazz with Ralph Ellison or chat with Andy Warhol while pouring drinks in his office. By the 1970s, editors were poring over profit-and-loss statements. The electronics company RCA bought Random House in 1965, and then other large corporations purchased other formerly independent publishers. As multinational conglomerates consolidated the industry, the business of literature--and literature itself--transformed. Dan Sinykin explores how changes in the publishing industry have affected fiction, literary form, and what it means to be an author. Giving an inside look at the industry's daily routines, personal dramas, and institutional crises, he reveals how conglomeration has shaped what kinds of books and writers are published. Sinykin examines four different sectors of the publishing industry: mass-market books by brand-name authors like Danielle Steel; trade publishers that encouraged genre elements in literary fiction; nonprofits such as Graywolf that aspired to protect literature from market pressures; and the distinctive niche of employee-owned W. W. Norton. He emphasizes how women and people of color navigated shifts in publishing, arguing that writers such as Toni Morrison allegorized their experiences in their fiction. Big Fiction features dazzling readings of a vast range of novelists--including E. L. Doctorow, Judith Krantz, Renata Adler, Stephen King, Joan Didion, Cormac McCarthy, Chuck Palahniuk, Patrick O'Brian, and Walter Mosley--as well as vivid portraits of industry figures. Written in gripping and lively prose, this deeply original book recasts the past six decades of American fiction.
THRESHmSTR
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
Stone Boomstick
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. This app is a time-saver β I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity.
Silver Cup
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§ Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnβt stop listening.
Woo Woo
π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ 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.
ThickSKN
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
RoarSweetie
Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. π± An entire library at my fingertips β this app is a book lover's dream come true! ππ ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
BlacKitten
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Nueva Nova
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users.
Spunky Chick
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. 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!
Woo Woo
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Whip Chu
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight.
Capital F
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Maple Destroyer
This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Doz
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a winner.
Twisty Freesia
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. π This app is a game-changer β its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. ππ§ The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Glyph
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Marigold Loot
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive. π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Granola
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy. π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer. Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness.
DARK HQ
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things. Iβm 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!
Manly Reno
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
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