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.
Roadblock
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Evil Smith
The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. I'm addicted to this app β it's like having a library in my pocket. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Mad Kid
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Tweety Bun Bun
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
Terror Master
This app makes traffic jams a breeze β time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. 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
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. βοΈ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time β multitasking made easy! π§ π§ ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. 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! Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Spitfire
The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Sexy
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
Lucky Brandy
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
Wonder Lady
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Tin Mutt
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Celtic Charger
This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
Pocket Mazda
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β audiobooks make my runs more exciting! πββοΈπ§ ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Venom Petunia
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening.
CuriousCoder
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life β it's incredible. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ± The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
MysticMingle
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks.
EchoEmissary
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Shimmy Shammy
This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Cardinal Rebel
Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
All Natural
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
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