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.
Seattle Jay
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
360
Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Feline Devil
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app.
Homerun Diva
🎶 Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! 🎶📖 With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧 Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Moon Solitaire
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. 📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️ CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable.
Santa's Little Helper
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧 Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
McDreamy
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Lightening Trip
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's design is a game-changer. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Gunhawk
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
Kazmii
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. ⏰ Maximizing my time with efficient features – this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. 📚⏳ ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Sun Lemon
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine.
Impulsive Flower
The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Crazy Rox
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant source of books. 🌟 Embracing reading in the busiest of times – this app is my everyday escape! 📚🏃♀️ Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Taffy Duchess
With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings.
Digital Equinox
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. 🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Fl00d
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. 🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments.
Tacklebox
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. 🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
Geneva Cuffs
🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧 ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. 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!
Thrasher
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
WanderWord
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
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