Book description
A beautifully written memoir-in-essays on fairy tales and their surprising relevance to modern life, from a Jewish woman raising Black children in the American South--based on her acclaimed Paris Review column "Happily" "One of the most inventive, phenomenally executed books I've read in decades."--Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy The literary tradition of the fairy tale has long endured as the vehicle by which we interrogate the laws of reality. These fantastical stories, populated with wolves, kings, and wicked witches, have throughout history served as a template for understanding culture, society, and that muddy terrain we call our collective human psyche. In Happily, Sabrina Orah Mark reimagines the modern fairy tale, turning it inside out and searching it for the wisdom to better understand our contemporary moment in what Mark so incisively calls "this strange American weather." Set against the backdrop of political upheaval, viral plague, social protest, and climate change, Mark locates the magic in the mundane and illuminates the surreality of life as we know it today. She grapples with a loss of innocence in "Sorry, Peter Pan, We're Over You," when her son decides he would rather dress up as Martin Luther King, Jr., than Peter Pan for Halloween. In "The Evil Stepmother," Mark finds unlikely communion with wicked wives and examines the roots of their bad reputation. And in "Rapunzel, Draft One Thousand," the hunt for a wigmaker in a time of unprecedented civil unrest forces Mark to finally confront her sister's cancer diagnosis and the stories we tell ourselves to get by. Revelatory, whimsical, and utterly inspired, Happily is a testament to the singularity of Sabrina Orah Mark's voice and the power of the fantastical to reveal essential truths about life, love, and the meaning of family.
Rooster
I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. 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!
Twisty Dew
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Airport Hobo
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ
Liquid Death
This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket.
Achilles Mountain
User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
Capital F
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side.
Devil Chick
ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Hang 11
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Dance Cannon
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Star Jammer
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection β there's always something new to discover. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook! This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Speedwell
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Rosie Bird
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Shamrock
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
VPR
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library.
Stick Shift
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Danger Menace
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate. 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.
Golden Cougar
Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Steel
Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a triumph. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
MysticMingle
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Achilles Mountain
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient!
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