Book description
"An ardent fan letter from Hornby that makes you want to re-read Great Expectations while listening to Sign o' the Times." --Vogue From the bestselling author of Just Like You, High Fidelity, and Fever Pitch, a short, warm, and entertaining book about art, creativity, and the unlikely similarities between Victorian novelist Charles Dickens and modern American rock star Prince Every so often, a pairing comes along that seems completely unlikely--until it's not. Peanut butter and jelly, Dennis Rodman and Kim Jong Un, ducks and puppies, and now: Dickens and Prince. Equipped with a fan's admiration and his trademark humor and wit, Nick Hornby invites us into his latest obsession: the cosmic link between two unlikely artists, geniuses in their own rights, spanning race, class, and centuries--each of whom electrified their different disciplines and whose legacy resounded far beyond their own time. When Prince's 1987 record Sign o' the Times was rereleased in 2020, the iconic album now came with dozens of songs that weren't on the original-- Prince was endlessly prolific, recording 102 songs in 1986 alone. In awe, Hornby began to wonder, Who else ever produced this much? Who else ever worked that way? He soon found his answer in Victorian novelist and social critic Charles Dickens, who died more than a hundred years before Prince began making music. Examining the two artists' personal tragedies, social statuses, boundless productivity, and other parallels, both humorous and haunting, Hornby shows how these two unlikely men from different centuries "lit up the world." In the process, he creates a lively, stimulating rumination on the creativity, flamboyance, discipline, and soul it takes to produce great art.
Seal Snake
ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. I can’t believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Shamrock
My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Chuckles
The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Twix Bond
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱 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.
Chasm Face
Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Duke Electro
This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable.
Prof. Screw
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. 🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧
NoiseCake
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Green Scavenger
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Bug Blitz
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Athens Fire
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. 🎉 My audiobook haven – this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! 📚🔑 This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Microwave Chardonnay
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Lucky Brandy
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. 🎧 Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. 📚📱 From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚
Fire Feline
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Esquire
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable.
Nessie Pork
Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Cinder Coffee
With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
3D Waffle
Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source.
Take Away
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
Divine Quasar
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable.
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