Book description
We are surrounded by emoji. They appear in politics, movies, drug deals, our sex lives, and more. But emoji's impact has never been explored in full. Named for the world's most popular pictogram, Face with Tears of Joy tells the whole story of emoji for the first time. In this rollicking tech and pop culture history, Keith Houston follows emoji from their birth in 1990s Japan, traces their Western explosion in the 2000s, and considers emoji's ever-expanding lexicon. Along the way, Houston explores vital developments in tech history and reveals the body of technocrats governing this 3,600-character language. He also addresses the eggplants in the room: risqu emojis, controversy, and accusations of "selling out." Finally, readers learn about the future of emoji, as some of the language's pioneers consider what comes next. Face with Tears of Joy is a language- and tech-lover's delight, stuffed with gloriously nerdy details, illustrations, and fun.Review"Mr. Houston's unapologetic nerdiness is matched by a jaunty style" -Wall Street Journal "We bibliomaniacs have a soulmate in Keith Houston," -Scottish Review of Books "[Houston is] an enthusiast if not an obsessive, with a voracious appetite for details" -Dallas Morning NewsAbout the AuthorKeith Houston is the author of Empire of the Sum, Shady Characters, and The Book. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Mental Floss, and on BBC Culture and Literary Hub. He lives in Linlithgow, Scotland. (View Author Photo)
Fire Sass
Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. 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!
Blue Despair
π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight.
Earl of Arms
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π
Freesia
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. 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!
Switch
Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Iron Jesus
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. ππ§
QuestQuill
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers.
The Dude
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving. 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.
Sw33per
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking.
Stud
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Shadow Gal
Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Shivers
Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Mad Irishman
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Shamrock
With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
MindfulMingle
Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
Coldy
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional.
Spontan8ty
πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Kinged
With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is a triumph. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Pink Stream
π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. Binaural audio processing is a game-changer β my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
DZE
I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
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