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)
Wiccan Trouble
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
ByteBard
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ
Risen
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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! Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Miss Murder
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Blink
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed.
Fire Fish
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats β it's a true lifesaver. This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Fresh Peper
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure.
Golden Cougar
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Mr. Spy
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Impulse
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π
Troubled Pie
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style. 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!
Bad Bond
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Esquire
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
Dark Burn
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Sick Saurus
π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
EchoEmissary
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Sexual Chocolate
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Rope
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Silent
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Flint
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
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