Book description
The debut collection of personal essays by comedy's most iconic voice Ziwe made a name for herself by asking guests like Alyssa Milano, Fran Lebowitz, and Chet Hanks direct questions. In Black Friend, she turns her incisive perspective on both herself and the culture at large. Throughout the book, Ziwe combines pop-culture commentary and personal stories, which grapple with her own (mis)understanding of identity. From a hilarious case of mistaken identity via a jumbotron to a terrifying fight-or-flight encounter in the woods, Ziwe raises difficult questions for comedic relief. From Black Friend's Introduction: "Today, I learned that my book is ranked as the #1 new release in 'Discrimination and Racism' on Amazon. Wow. This is a huge honor, especially considering my stiff competition in the selfpublished manifestos space. Unfortunately, this victory is bittersweet. I worry that people may get the wrong idea and think that I am pro-racism when in actuality, I am indifferent. Still, I'd love to thank everyone who made this possible. I solemnly swear to write the most discriminatory book in American history. I hope I can make you proud. "Just kidding…I will not marginalize you…unless that's your kink. This book of essays offers moments of extreme discomfort (and the subsequent growth) in my life around the role of 'black friend.' Black friends come in all shapes and sizes. Yet the archetype is often a two-dimensional character meant to support the non-black protagonists' more complex humanity. Some black friends exist as the comic relief, like Donkey in any of the Shrek movies. Some are the sassy friend, like Louise from St. Louis in Sex and the City. Still others are the inexplicably sagacious companion, like Morpheus in The Matrix . It's impossible for these individual portraits to reflect my complicated reality. To start, they are fictional. One of them is a talking ass. I do not exist just to move plot. While I am a supportive friend, I am not a supporting character. I am the protagonist of my perfectly imperfect story." Review"One of the smartest, funniest voices in modern America." Kirkus Reviews About the AuthorZiwe is a comedian, writer, and actor. She was the executive producer and star of the eponymous late-night variety show ZIWE on Showtime. She has also written for Desus & Mero, Dickinson, and Our Cartoon President. She lives in New York City.
True Sweetness
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch.
All Natural
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read – this app is always ready. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧
Zesty Dragon
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments.
360
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Jigsaw
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding.
Wild Tesla
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. 📱 It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. 📚🔥 Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌 ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits.
Low Voltage
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. 🏃♀️📚 Running with purpose – audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. 🏃♀️🎧 Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Princess Dove
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience.
Bug Fire
This app is a true gift for book lovers – it's like having a personal library wherever I go. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding.
Twinkle Cutlass
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Rook
The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Koi Diva
⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 🎉 My audiobook haven – this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! 📚🔑 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
ThoughtTracer
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats – it truly supports all my audio needs. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach.
Zero Charisma
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Die Slice
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Mr. Peppermint
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Mint Ness
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. 🌌 Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. 🎧✨ Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Switch
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Landfill Max
Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Bad Beret
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. 💼 Workday blues? Not anymore – this app turns my office hours into reading time! 💻📖 ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations.
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