Book description
Could you write what you write if you weren't so tiny, Joan? --Eve Babitz, in a letter to Joan Didion, 1972 Joan Didion, revealed at last... Eve Babitz died on December 17, 2021. Found in the wrack, ruin, and filth of her apartment, a stack of boxes packed by her mother decades before. The boxes were pristine, the seals of duct tape unbroken. Inside, a lost world. This world turned for a certain number of years in the late sixties and early seventies, and centered on a two-story rental in a down-at-heel section of Hollywood. 7406 Franklin Avenue, a combination salon-hotbed-living end where writers and artists mixed with movie stars, rock 'n' rollers, and drug trash. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the making of one great American writer: Joan Didion, a mystery behind her dark glasses and cool expression; an enigma inside her storied marriage to John Gregory Dunne, their union as tortured as it was enduring. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the breaking and then the remaking--and thus the true making--of another great American writer: Eve Babitz, goddaughter of Igor Stravinsky, nude of Marcel Duchamp, consort of Jim Morrison (among many, many others), a woman who burned so hot she finally almost burned herself alive. Didion and Babitz formed a complicated alliance, a friendship that went bad, amity turning to enmity. Didion, in spite of her confessional style, is so little known or understood. She's remained opaque, elusive. Until now. With deftness and skill, journalist Lili Anolik uses Babitz, Babitz's brilliance of observation, Babitz's incisive intelligence, and, most of all, Babitz's diary-like letters--letters found in those sealed boxes, letters so intimate you don't read them so much as breathe them--as the key to unlocking Didion.Review"Anolik brings her journalistic instincts and her deep passion for Didion and Babitz to create a vivid, engrossing work." -Vogue "Anolik unearths a complicated, contentious-and scandalously overlooked-alliance between these two glamorous behemoths of Californian literature. . . . What results is a love letter in the form of this detailed biography that reads like a propulsive novel. You'll be reaching for Didion's and Babitz's books to search for evidence of the messy truths revealed on these pages." -Oprah Daily "[Anolik's] double biography is an account of a dispute between highly creative frenemies where the wounds festered for years and no one ever worked it out on the remix." -New York Magazine, Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER Named a Best Book of the Year by Time, Vogue, the Washington Post, Telegraph, and more Joan Didion is revealed at last in this outrageously provocative and profoundly moving new work "that reads like a propulsive novel" (Oprah Daily) on the mutual attractions--and mutual antagonisms--of Didion and her fellow literary titan, Eve Babitz. Could you write what you write if you weren't so tiny, Joan? --Eve Babitz, in a letter to Joan Didion, 1972 Joan Didion, revealed at last... Eve Babitz died on December 17, 2021. Found in the wrack, ruin, and filth of her apartment, a stack of boxes packed by her mother decades before. The boxes were pristine, the seals of duct tape unbroken. Inside, a lost world. This world turned for a certain number of years in the late sixties and early seventies, and centered on a two-story rental in a down-at-heel section of Hollywood. 7406 Franklin Avenue, a combination salon-hotbed-living end where writers and artists mixed with movie stars, rock 'n' rollers, and drug trash. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the making of one great American writer: Joan Didion, a mystery behind her dark glasses and cool expression; an enigma inside her storied marriage to John Gregory Dunne, their union as tortured as it was enduring. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the breaking and then the remaking--and thus the true making--of another great American writer: Eve Babitz, goddaughter of Igor Stravinsky, nude of Marcel Duchamp, consort of Jim Morrison (among many, many others), a woman who burned so hot she finally almost burned herself alive. Didion and Babitz formed a complicated alliance, a friendship that went bad, amity turning to enmity. Didion, in spite of her confessional style, is so little known or understood. She's remained opaque, elusive. Until now. With deftness and skill, journalist Lili Anolik uses Babitz, Babitz's brilliance of observation, Babitz's incisive intelligence, and, most of all, Babitz's diary-like letters--letters found in those sealed boxes, letters so intimate you don't read them so much as breathe them--as the key to unlocking Didion.SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER Named a Best Book of the Year by Time, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, The Washington Post, and more Joan Didion is revealed at last in this "vivid, engrossing" (Vogue), and outrageously provocative dual biography "that reads like a propulsive novel" (Oprah Daily) revealing the mutual attractions--and antagonisms--of Didion and her fellow literary titan, Eve Babitz. Could you write what you write if you weren't so tiny, Joan? --Eve Babitz, in a letter to Joan Didion, 1972 Eve Babitz died on December 17, 2021. Found in the wrack, ruin, and filth of her apartment, a stack of boxes packed by her mother decades before. The boxes were pristine, the seals of duct tape unbroken. Inside, a lost world. This world turned for a certain number of years in the late sixties and early seventies and centered on a two-story rental in a down-at-heel section of Hollywood. 7406 Franklin Avenue, a combination salon-hotbed-living end where writers and artists mixed with movie stars, rock 'n' rollers, and drug trash. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the making of one great American writer: Joan Didion, a mystery behind her dark glasses and cool expression; an enigma inside her storied marriage to John Gregory Dunne, their union as tortured as it was enduring. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the breaking and then the remaking--and thus the true making--of another great American writer: Eve Babitz, goddaughter of Igor Stravinsky, nude of Marcel Duchamp, consort of Jim Morrison (among many, many others), a woman who burned so hot she finally almost burned herself alive. Didion and Babitz formed a complicated alliance, a friendship that went bad, amity turning to enmity. Didion, in spite of her confessional style, is so little known or understood. She's remained opaque, elusive. Until now. With deftness and skill, journalist Lili Anolik uses Babitz, Babitz's brilliance of observation, Babitz's incisive intelligence, and, most of all, Babitz's diary-like letters--letters found in those sealed boxes, letters so intimate you don't read them so much as breathe them--as the key to unlocking Didion. And "what the book makes clear is that Didion and Babitz were more alike than either would have liked to admit" (Time).About the AuthorLili Anolik is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and a writer at large for Air Mail. Her last book, the L.A. Times bestseller Hollywood's Eve, was also published by Scribner. Her last podcast, Once Upon a Time... at Bennington College, was produced by Cadence13. In 2024, she was a finalist for the National Magazine Award for profile writing. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.
Trixie
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app – it's like being in the story. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks.
Sass Burst
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before.
InfinityInsight
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Sick Saurus
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I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise.
Jetta Talent
This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is remarkable. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Stallion Patton
Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers! Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Contrary Mary
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180
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
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Audiobook journey simplified – this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
Demand Chopper
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. 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.
Renegade Slugger
Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion.
Freeze Queen
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Peanut Butter Woman
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Hang 11
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done! Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
Crash Enforcer
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress.
ZenZone
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams!
Pink Hopper
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖
Miss Fix It
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things. 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!
DZE
Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly 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