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.
ByteBard
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly โ this app's design is top-notch.
Celtic Charger
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. Audiobook immersion simplified โ this app's ease of use is a true asset. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Mt. Indiana
Effortless audiobook exploration โ this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments.
Ella of Light
๐ฑ Carrying stories in my pocket โ this app's convenience is a game-changer! ๐๐๏ธ ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
Dance Bloom
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Feline Devil
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of โ now they're my favorites! ListenBookโs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itโs perfect for my listening style.
Scare Stone
With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere โ it's a reader's dream come true. ๐ก Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder โ thank you, this app! ๐ฑ๐ Effortless and enriching โ that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. ๐ฑ๐ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Chew Chew
๐ Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! ๐ฑ๐ ๐ Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. ๐ฑ๐ง The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks.
Good-lookinโ
ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ๐ถ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators โ audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. ๐ต๐ I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! The app is lightweight and doesnโt drain my battery.
Scare Stone
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! ListenBookโs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Sprinkle Lovenuts
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. ListenBook is more than just an app โ it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
ManBreaker
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys โ thank you, app! This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions.
Suicide Jockey
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. ๐ Elevating my reading routine โ this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ๐๐
SereneScribe
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. I can't get enough of this app โ it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itโs a unique feature.
True Sweetness
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Raid Bucker
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Poppin Loot
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure.
Saint La-Z-Boy
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Fire Bite
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. Audiobook enjoyment redefined โ this app's design focuses on the essentials. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Truth
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys โ this app's ease of use is a delight. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
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