Book description
Named a Best Book of the Year by the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, NPR, Broadly, Buzzfeed (Nonfiction), The Undefeated, Library Journal (Biography/Memoirs), The Washington Post (Nonfiction), Southern Living (Southern), Entertainment Weekly, and The New York Times Critics In this powerful, provocative, and universally lauded memoir--winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal and finalist for the Kirkus Prize--genre-bending essayist and novelist Kiese Laymon "provocatively meditates on his trauma growing up as a black man, and in turn crafts an essential polemic against American moral rot" (Entertainment Weekly). In Heavy, Laymon writes eloquently and honestly about growing up a hard-headed black son to a complicated and brilliant black mother in Jackson, Mississippi. From his early experiences of sexual violence, to his suspension from college, to time in New York as a college professor, Laymon charts his complex relationship with his mother, grandmother, anorexia, obesity, sex, writing, and ultimately gambling. Heavy is a "gorgeous, gutting...generous" (The New York Times) memoir that combines personal stories with piercing intellect to reflect both on the strife of American society and on Laymon's experiences with abuse. By attempting to name secrets and lies he and his mother spent a lifetime avoiding, he asks us to confront the terrifying possibility that few in this nation actually know how to responsibly love, and even fewer want to live under the weight of actually becoming free. "A book for people who appreciated Roxane Gay's memoir Hunger" (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), Heavy is defiant yet vulnerable, an insightful, often comical exploration of weight, identity, art, friendship, and family through years of haunting implosions and long reverberations. "You won't be able to put [this memoir] down...It is packed with reminders of how black dreams get skewed and deferred, yet are also pregnant with the possibility that a kind of redemption may lie in intimate grappling with black realities" (The Atlantic).
Sky Bully
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. 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.
Skull Crusher
Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again. 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.
Arsenic Coo
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive.
Shay
ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Berlin Kamikaze
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
The China Wall
π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Spunky Comet
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips.
Terror Master
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Referee
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Casanova
I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. 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.
Friday Ferrari
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! π±π§ Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Don Stab
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience!
ButterQuest
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. π Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner β this app adds flavor to every meal! π²π ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Club Nola
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ 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!
Ladybird
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is remarkable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
TrixiePhany
I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Acid Gosling
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's an essential part of my day. π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Blackfire
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
Sidewalk Enforcer
Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before.
Bazooka Har-de-har
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. πΌ Enhancing work-from-home productivity β audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. π»π The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
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