Book description
Hailed as a "genius-enchantress" (Karen Russell) and winner of the MacArthur Fellowship, the celebrated novelist Andrea Barrett has for decades reached backward to find inspiration from the past and written acclaimed and prizewinning works of historical fiction. In Dust and Light, the first work of nonfiction of her extraordinary career, Barrett draws from that deep well of experience to explore the mysteries, methods, and delights of the form.Inspiration found in the past, she argues, can illuminate fiction, just as dust scatters light and makes the unseen visible. Barrett writes of lessons gleaned from the classic work of some of her guiding lights (Willa Cather, Henry James, Leo Tolstoy, Virginia Woolf), as well as the work of such contemporary masters as Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Colm T ib n, and Jesmyn Ward. She reveals how she created some of her own beloved works, taking readers on a fascinating journey into some of the largest questions in the genre: How does a writer find meaningful subject matter beyond the confines of their life? How are scraps of history found, used, misused, manipulated, and transformed into a fully formed narrative? And what are the perils as well as the potential of this process?Building on pieces originally published in leading literary magazines and featured in The Best American Essays, Dust and Light is an elegant exploration of the hazy borderlands of fiction sewn from the materials of history. Filled with profound insights, it will be a delight for any devoted fiction readers, and of great use to aspiring writers too.
Black Walnut
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way – through audiobooks! Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
21st Street
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. 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!
Cali Yacht
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked!
InsightfulInk
ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Subzero Taffy
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. 💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Apple Nola
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ 🏃♀️🌟 Experiencing stories while staying active – this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. 🎧🏞️
Low Voltage
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine – thank you!
LuminaLore
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the 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!
Geneva Cuffs
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
LunaStar
🏃♀️📚 Running with purpose – audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. 🏃♀️🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. 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. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Goatee Shield
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius.
The Happy Jock
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. 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!
Gold Dahlia
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. 🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly.
Chew Chew
The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
Are Ess Tee
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. 🎉 This app has ignited my passion for reading – I can't get enough of its convenience! 📚🔥 Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
RZRWRE
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find.
180
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion.
Universe Bullet
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
Red Woman
I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧 ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Morbid Angel
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio 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