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.
Frosty Snazz
Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Tin Mutt
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient.
Pixy Mox
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
MuseMaster
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content β it's my new favorite app. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
VisionVortex
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers.
Admiral Tot
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. 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!
WeldMaster
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable.
Wrangler Jim
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Gas Man
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ππ± ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Vixen
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
NightDream
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
True Sweetness
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. 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! 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!
Easy Mac
π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯ Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
TeederSmartie
This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style. 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! I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
InsightInkwell
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
MrOnsTr
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Preach Man
Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side.
Prof. Screw
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life β it's incredible. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking.
LifeRobber
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true β from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
The Flying Mouse
Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
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