Book description
"...Ben Valenta and David Sikorjak explore a convincing case for how fandom can improve both our relationships and lives." --Arthur C. Brooks, Harvard professor and #1 New York Times bestselling author of From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of LifeTHIS BOOK IS ABOUT THE POWER OF BELONGINGResearch shows that 61 percent of Americans feel lonely, misunderstood, and left out. And those are the numbers before the pandemic enforced isolation. There is also evidence that loneliness can impact your physical health. So how do we go from being lonely to belonging? Becoming a sports fan may be the first step.In Fans Have More Friends, sports fans, dads, and data analysts David Sikorjak and Ben Valenta argue that fandom can not only increase our sense of belonging but also serves as a powerful antidote to loneliness because sports fans experience increased social connection. What they didn't realize was how deep that connection was, the potential it carried for individual and societal wellness, or the opportunities it offered for adult friendships, making and keeping friends, and family ties.Their theory is simple: if we want to be less lonely, we need to belong to a community or something greater than ourselves. Over the course of two years, countless in-person interviews and rigorously designed surveys, Ben Valenta and David Sikorjak have the proof that being a fan can lead to: Improved social connectionsStronger community tiesEnhanced well-beingA greater sense of belonging, andMore friendsThe data pales in comparison to the incredible people you'll meet throughout the book. The common thread in all of these personal stories is friendship, community, and belonging-a feeling research can't reveal as well as stories can. Fans Have More Friends will make you think differently about sports and reminds all of us of the essential animating quality of fandom: We're in this together. Sports is not always about what's happening on the field but what's happening in the stands.
Pepper
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Sick Saurus
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! 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!
Night Train
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Feral Filly
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! This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Candy Butcher
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze.
Sylvester Eye
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖 Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. 🎉📚
Sweet Bacon
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 is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Switch
Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Contrary Mary
ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
Trixie
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. 🏡 Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house – it's like having a helper! 🏠📚 Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏
RiddleRanger
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Risen
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience.
General Broomdog
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends.
Pepper Legs
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. 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.
Steel Heart
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. 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!
Trixie Doodle
ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
WanderWord
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
Sass Burst
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Lounge Master
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. Effortless and enriching – 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. 📱📖 Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚 With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
21st Street
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. 🌌🎧 ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures.
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