Book description
A brilliant literary memoir of chosen family and chosen heritage, told against the backdrop of Chicago's North and South SidesAs a multiracial household in Chicago's North Side community of Rogers Park, race is at the core of Francesca T. Royster and her family's world, influencing everyday acts of parenting and the conception of what family truly means. Like Maggie Nelson's The Argonauts, this lyrical and affecting memoir focuses on a unit of three: the author; her wife Annie, who's white; and Cecilia, the Black daughter they adopt as a couple in their forties and fifties. Choosing Family chronicles this journey to motherhood while examining the messiness and complexity of adoption and parenthood from a Black, queer, and feminist perspective. Royster also explores her memories of the matriarchs of her childhood and the homes these women created in Chicago's South Side--itself a dynamic character in the memoir--where "family" was fluid, inclusive, and not necessarily defined by marriage or other socially recognized contracts. Calling upon the work of some of her favorite queer thinkers, including José Esteban Muñoz and Audre Lorde, Royster interweaves her experiences and memories with queer and gender theory to argue that many Black families, certainly her own, have historically had a "queer" attitude toward family: configurations that sit outside the white normative experience and are the richer for their flexibility and generosity of spirit. A powerful, genre-bending memoir of family, identity, and acceptance, Choosing Family, ultimately, is about joy--about claiming the joy that society did not intend to assign to you, or to those like you.
Despair
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Sir Shark
⭐️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. 🎶📖 ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Pocket Muzzie
Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend! 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.
Scratch
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. 🔥 Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears – audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. 🎵📖
Vagabond Warrior
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection.
Doughboy, Esq
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
WonderWords
Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
D-Hog-Day
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Squatch
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can 'read' while I work! 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Sherm
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊 ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Sleek Assassin
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Pixie Taze
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Sweet Bacon
🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 🚗📚 Turn traffic into a literary escape – this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. 🚗🎧 ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
ThermalMode
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Easy Mac
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
Terror Master
This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. 🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Domino Combat
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. 🎉📚 Reigniting my passion for books – this app is my newfound reading obsession! 🔥🎧 ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Steel Cut Toe
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
RedFeet
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure!
Twinkle
Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
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