Book description
National Book Critics Circle Award Winner NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY: The New York Times NPR Vogue Gay Times Artforum * "Gay Bar is an absolute tour de force." -Maggie Nelson "Atherton Lin has a five-octave, Mariah Carey-esque range for discussing gay sex." -New York Times Book Review As gay bars continue to close at an alarming rate, a writer looks back to find out what's being lost in this indispensable, intimate, and stylish celebration of queer history. Strobing lights and dark rooms; throbbing house and drag queens on counters; first kisses, last call: the gay bar has long been a place of solidarity and sexual expression--whatever your scene, whoever you're seeking. But in urban centers around the world, they are closing, a cultural demolition that has Jeremy Atherton Lin wondering: What was the gay bar? How have they shaped him? And could this spell the end of gay identity as we know it? In Gay Bar, the author embarks upon a transatlantic tour of the hangouts that marked his life, with each club, pub, and dive revealing itself to be a palimpsest of queer history. In prose as exuberant as a hit of poppers and dazzling as a disco ball, he time-travels from Hollywood nights in the 1970s to a warren of cruising tunnels built beneath London in the 1770s; from chichi bars in the aftermath of AIDS to today's fluid queer spaces; through glory holes, into Crisco-slicked dungeons and down San Francisco alleys. He charts police raids and riots, posing and passing out--and a chance encounter one restless night that would change his life forever. The journey that emerges is a stylish and nuanced inquiry into the connection between place and identity--a tale of liberation, but one that invites us to go beyond the simplified Stonewall mythology and enter lesser-known battlefields in the struggle to carve out a territory. Elegiac, randy, and sparkling with wry wit, Gay Bar is at once a serious critical inquiry, a love story and an epic night out to remember.
Apex
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Dakota Bliss
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
ThoughtTrailblazer
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Scratch
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Pusher
This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use.
ThermalMode
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no 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.
Casanova
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a standout.
Kickstart
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes. 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.
Screwtape
πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Street Squirrel
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use.
RZRWRE
π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length β I'm in!
Mr. Wholesome
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Kawaii Red
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Ba1t
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers! This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Queen Bee
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
Delicious Wing
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ
K-9
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's an essential part of my day. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow.
Sokol
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§ Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Heavenly Connection
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. 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! ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. 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.
Sleek Zelda
This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. ππ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed β bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! π΄π§ The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
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