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.
Electric Saturn
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Houston Rocket
Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library.
Red Woman
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Rando Tank
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π
Drift
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
Easy Street
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed.
Yellow Menace
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Osprey
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
Liquid Death
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
FlyGuardX
This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ
Tin Mutt
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
Short Firecracker
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
Koi Diva
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Old Regret
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
Glyph
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Arsenic Coo
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before.
Old Orange Eyes
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Miss Twilight
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
Mantis Queen
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Sapiens
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
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