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.
Red Heroine
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. 🌟🎧 I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Tomcat
The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
ByteBard
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
High Kingdom Warrior
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend! An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
The Dude
The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Drop Stone
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
HedgeH0g2
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. 🚶♂️🌟 Staying entertained during leisurely walks – audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! 🚶♂️🎧 Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Bom Crossed
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. ⏰ Maximizing my time with efficient features – this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. 📚⏳ Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Plum Moon
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
GuTzd
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. 🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
DreamDiver
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
Bleachers
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? 🎙️ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! 🚶♀️📖 I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Austin Shamrock
Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs.
Racy Lion
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out.
Legacy
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion.
Spoiler Betty
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Acid Gosling
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true triumph. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
Jersey
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. 🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
Silver Rose
💼 Juggling tasks while exploring narratives – this app is my multitasking hero! 💻📖 Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Jigsaw
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
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