Book description
An incisive exploration of ballet's role in the modern world, told through the experience of the author and her classmates at the most elite ballet school in the country: the School of American Ballet.Growing up, Alice Robb dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer. But by age fifteen, she had to face the reality that she would never meet the impossibly high standards of the hyper-competitive ballet world. After she quit, she tried to avoid ballet--only to realize, years later, that she was still haunted by the lessons she had absorbed in the mirror-lined studios of Lincoln Center, and that they had served her well in the wider world. The traits ballet takes to an extreme--stoicism, silence, submission--are valued in girls and women everywhere.Profound, nuanced, and passionately researched, Don't Think, Dear is Robb's excavation of her adolescent years as a dancer and an exploration of how those days informed her life for years to come.As she grapples with the pressure she faced as a student at the School of American Ballet, she investigates the fates of her former classmates as well. From sweet and innocent Emily, whose body was deemed thin enough only when she was too ill to eat, to precocious and talented Meiying, who was thrilled to be cast as the young star of the Nutcracker but dismayed to see Asians stereotyped onstage, and Lily, who won the carrot they had all been chasing--an apprenticeship with the New York City Ballet--only to spend her first season dancing eight shows a week on a broken foot.Theirs are stories of heartbreak and resilience, of reinvention and regret. Along the way, Robb weaves in the myths of famous ballet personalities past and present, from the groundbreaking Misty Copeland, who rose from poverty to become an icon of American ballet, to the blind diva Alicia Alonso, who used the heat of the spotlights and the vibrations of the music to navigate space onstage. By examining the psyche of a dancer, Don't Think, Dear grapples with the contradictions and challenges of being a woman today.
Marshmallow
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes.
Murder Cherry
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again β it's a must-have. Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Are Ess Tee
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise.
Cuff Queen
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Hitch Frenzy
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π βοΈ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ππ Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear.
Doughboy, Esq
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning.
Eight Patrol
ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
RZR
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Cumulo
No more fighting over the radio during family trips β we're all hooked on audiobooks now. The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ 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!
Bombay Shivers
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
Zero Corn
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. 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.
Shadow Chaser
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Ozzie Treat
Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
High-Fructose
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent. 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.
EchoExplorer
ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ 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. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
Dropkick
Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient β it's like having a personal narrator. π± Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward β this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. ππ« πͺ Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier β this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. πΌπ Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch.
Admiral Tot
This app's library is a treasure trove β I'm always discovering new favorites. πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use. 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!
Twisty Freesia
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
Ozzie Treat
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ 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!
Carrot Joker
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
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