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.
Alley Cat
The app's stability is impressive β it runs smoothly without any glitches. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
The Belgian
πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Bom Crossed
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Highlander Monk
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility.
JigKraken
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Screwtape
π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Carrot Joker
πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place! The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Handsome
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience.
Centurion Sherman
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Midas
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks.
Romance Guppy
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
Mud Finger
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Preach Man
Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
Skool
With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Sir Shark
Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer!
Gold Bentley
π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
FireBerry
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. 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!
Video Game Heroine
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
LyRz
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Rosie Bird
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
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