Book description
Our politics are broken; our world is melting; the next catastrophe looms. Enter James Parker, who for years now has been writing odes of appreciation on subjects from the seemingly minor ("Ode to Naps") to the unexpected ("Ode to Giving People Money") to the seemingly minor, unexpected, and hyperspecific ("Ode to Running in Movies"). Finally collecting Parker's beloved and much-lauded odes in one place, this volume demonstrates the profound power of the form. Each ode is an exercise in gratitude. Each celebrates the permanent susceptibility of everyday humdrum life to dazzling saturations of divine light: the squirrel in the street, the crying baby, the misplaced cup of tea. Parker's odes are songs of praise, but with a decent amount of complaining in there, too: a human ratio of moans. Varied in length but unified in tone, mostly in prose, sometimes toppling into verse, the odes range across music, movies, literature, psychology, and beyond, all through the lens of Parker's personal history. Gathered together, they form an accidental how-to guide to honoring your own experience--and to finding your own odes.
About the Author
James Parker is a staff writer for The Atlantic. Since 2011, he has run the Black Seed Writers Group--a weekly writing workshop for homeless, transitional, and recently housed writers--and edited The Pilgrim, a literary magazine from the homeless community of downtown Boston. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
ManMaker
Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out.
Crazy Eights
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Airport Hobo
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Dream Killer
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New Magoo
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Earl of Arms
ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
RiddleRanger
No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱 Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
ManMaker
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
The Belgian
With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Dance Bloom
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Fast FLAK
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
LyRz
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. 📚🎧 Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream!
Junkyard Dog
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch.
The Final Judgement
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Spontan8ty
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life – it's a unique experience. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
MindfulMingle
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Queen Ginger
Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Shooter
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
CosPlatoon
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Midnight Bat
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
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