Book description
"Phenomenal.... A memoir that opens into the world, with brilliance, courage, and elegant prose.... This is a book to read, read again, and remember."--Imani Perry, New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award winner South to America Poet and journalist Shayla Lawson follows their National Book Critics Circle finalist This Is Major with these daring and exquisitely crafted essays, where Lawson journeys across the globe, finds beauty in tumultuous times, and powerfully disrupts the constraints of race, gender, and disability. One of Esquire's Best Memoirs of 2024Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2024 by Elle, Them, Book Riot, LitHub, Stylecaster, and Chicago Review of Books In their new book, Shayla Lawson reveals how traveling can itself be a political act, when it can be a dangerous world to be Black, femme, nonbinary, and disabled. With their signature prose, at turns bold, muscular, and luminous, Shayla Lawson travels the world to explore deeper meanings held within love, time, and the self. Through encounters with a gorgeous gondolier in Venice, an ex-husband in the Netherlands, and a lost love on New Year's Eve in Mexico City, Lawson's travels bring unexpected wisdom about life in and out of love. They learn the strength of friendships and the dangers of beauty during a narrow escape in Egypt. They examine Blackness in post-dictatorship Zimbabwe, then take us on a secretive tour of Black freedom movements in Portugal. Through a deeply insightful journey, Lawson leads readers from a castle in France to a hula hoop competition in Jamaica to a traditional theater in Tokyo to a Prince concert in Minnesota and, finally, to finding liberation on a beach in Bermuda, exploring each location--and their deepest emotions--to the fullest. In the end, they discover how the trials of marriage, grief, and missed connections can lead to self-transformation and unimagined new freedoms.
About the Author
Shayla Lawson is the author of This Is Major, which was a finalist for a National Book Critics Circle Award and a LAMBDA Literary Award, as well as two poetry collections. Lawson has written for New York magazine, Salon, ESPN, and Paper, and earned fellowships from Yaddo and MacDowell. They reside in Lexington, Kentucky. They've "lived" everywhere.
General Finish
π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
General Finish
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Spooky Yellowjacket
Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session.
Wonder Lady
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Crash Enforcer
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. 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.
Achilles Mountain
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Wonder Lady
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Evil Smith
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
Earl of Arms
π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π Efficient audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is a revelation.
The Howling Swede
ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Martini Flower
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts.
Demo Zero
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Universe Bullet
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
RiddleRover
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Fuzzy Rainbow
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Tall Sally
The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
Fist Wizard
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Grotas
The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable.
Congo Wire
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
DollFaceKillah
With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
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