Book description
LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST A compelling memoir of social life in the queer underground of San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles at a time when the manic frivolity of gay rights and bohemian creativity collided with the deadly reality of plague.DISASTERAMA: Adventures in the Queer Underground 1977 to 1997, is the true story of Alvin Orloff who, as a shy kid from the suburbs of San Francisco, stumbled into the wild, eclectic crowd of Crazy Club Kids, Punk Rock Nutters, Goofy Goofballs, Fashion Victims, Disco Dollies, Happy Hustlers, and Dizzy Twinks of post-Stonewall American queer culture of the late 1970s, only to see the "subterranean lavender twilit shadow world of the gay ghetto" ravished by AIDS in the 1980s. Includes an introduction by Alexander Chee (How to Write an Autobiographical Novel. In Disasterama, Orloff recalls the delirious adventures of his youth--from San Francisco to Los Angeles to New York--where insane nights, deep friendships with the creatives of the underground, and thrilling bi-coastal living led to a free-spirited life of art, manic performance, high camp antics, and exotic sexual encounters, until AIDS threatened to destroy everything he lived for. In his introduction, award-winning essayist and novelist Alexander Chee notes, "There's a strange love I have for these times that can be hard to explain. How can I love what I lived through from a time that was as 'bad' as that? But as I read this, and those days came into view again, what I think of that love now is that there was a beauty to the beauty you found then that was made the more fierce by the horror of what was happening. If you could still find the worth of your life, still find sex, love, friendship, your own self-worth amid these attempts by the state at erasure and the ravages of the AIDS epidemic, then it had the strength of something forged in fire." Orloff looks past the politics of AIDS to the people on the ground, friends of his who did not survive AIDS' wrath--the boys in black leather jackets and cackling queens in tacky frocks--remembering them not as victims, but as people who loved life, loved fun, and who were a part of the insane jigsaw of Orloff's friends. Disasterama showcases Orloff's wit and poignancy as he relays the true tale of how a bunch of pathologically flippant kids floundered through a deadly disaster, and, struggled to keep the spirit of camp and radicalism alive, even as their friends lost their lives to the plague.
Cool Law Topping
Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. 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. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Coffee
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
White Snare
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
Manimal
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
ByteBard
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Tacklebox
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖 The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
The Beekeeper
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Moxie
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me.
LyRz
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. 🌌🎧 With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Ginger Chaos
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Skull Crusher
Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. 🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
ThermalMode
This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures.
Greek Rifle
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. 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!
Uluru Walker
This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
WanderWord
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Jelly Camber
User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear.
Indigo Red
I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. 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.
Fiend Oblivion
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Manly Reno
Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
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