Book description
Fifty great writers reflect on the albums that shaped them in this captivating collection curated by the New Statesman's Tom Gatti.Our favorite albums are our most faithful companions: we listen to them hundreds of times over decades, we know them far better than any novel or film. These records don't just soundtrack our lives but work their way deep inside us, shaping our outlook and identity, forging our friendships and charting our love affairs. They become part of our story.In Long Players, fifty of our finest authors write about the albums that changed their lives, from Deborah Levy on Bowie to Daisy Johnson on Lizzo, Ben Okri on Miles Davis to David Mitchell on Joni Mitchell, Sarah Perry on Rachmaninov to Bernardine Evaristo on Sweet Honey in the Rock.Part meditation on the album form and part candid self-portrait, each of these miniature essays reveals music's power to transport the listener to a particular time and place. REM's Automatic for the People sends Olivia Laing back to first love and heartbreak, Bjork's Post resolves a crisis of faith and sexuality for a young Marlon James, while Fragile by Yes instils in George Saunders the confidence to take his own creative path. This collection is an intoxicating mix of memoir and music writing, spanning the golden age of vinyl and the streaming era, and showing how a single LP can shape a writer's mind.Featuring writing from Marlon James, Ali Smith, George Saunders, Bernardine Evaristo, Ian Rankin, Rachel Kushner, Ben Okri, Patricia Lockwood, Sarah Perry, Neil Gaiman, Tracey Thorn, Clive James, Eimear McBride, Neil Tennant, Daisy Johnson, David Mitchell, Esi Edugyan, Deborah Levy, among many others.
Microwave
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Chuckles
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source.
Frenzy
I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable.
Sly Bible
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Bootleg Taximan
This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. 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!
Chuckles
πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Noh Noh
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Esquire
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits.
Kill Switch
Audiobooks have never been this immersive β this app transports me to different worlds. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Killer Merlot
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
Lunar Treat
ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Nickname Master
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§
Boo
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
Sapiens
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π 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!
Dream Killer
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
Woo Woo
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Ship Whip
Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. Audiobook immersion without fuss β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Vagabond Warrior
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Good William
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience.
Racy Babe
With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use.
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