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.
Cosmo
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable!
QuestQuill
Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Slug-em-dog
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Raggedy Ann
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! User-friendly audiobook experience – this app's design is a standout. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Spunky Sphinx
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Tse Tse Guy
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
Mauve Cactus
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
Virgo Moon
🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer.
Shy Warrior
Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Taz Ringer
The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Juice Petite
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly.
Frosty Snazz
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Sand Whiskers
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
CommandX
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is commendable.
Omega Sub
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata.
Wildcat Appaloosa
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine.
Sweet Bacon
Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere.
Rook
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Dandelion
Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
King Bass
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. 🏃♂️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! 🏃♂️📖 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study.
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