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.
Sleek Assassin
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app. I love the car mode. It’s so convenient for listening while driving.
Nutmeg
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
PixelPioneer
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
Steel Heart
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
ThoughtTrail
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. 🏝️ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures – this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. ☀️📖 Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight.
Chip Queen
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Snout Pixie
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊
Lady Killer
This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 🌌 Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey – thank you, this app! ✨📚
Uncle Buddy
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. ListenBook is more than just an app – it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Bug Fire
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Dandelion
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The app's performance is remarkable – it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great!
BloodEater
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's pure bliss. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Guillotine
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Sofa King
No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app! ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
NightWonka
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
Lord Pistachio
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended!
Pocket Muzzie
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Mrs. Voltage
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. 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!
Dallas Burn
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
CommandX
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
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