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.
MysticMingle
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
Killer Curio
The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books.
RealmRanger
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection.
Ladysmith
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯
Kamikaze Grandma
ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Abiss
Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. 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!
Tin Mutt
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Dakota Bliss
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life.
Indigo Red
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend! The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Dallas Burn
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time.
101
Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Atlantic Rim
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
Snow Hound
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Super Flick
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Esquire
This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. π±π Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Old Regret
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
The Dude
πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever.
Swerve
The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Fire Sass
With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
Babe
This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
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