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.
Little Drunk Girl
A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
DARK HQ
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match.
Dallas Foxface
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Skull Crusher
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it! ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Blizzard Vixen
This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Noise Toy
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator.
Mr. Spy
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Station WMD
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move.
All Natural
Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
Bit Sentinel
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! 🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Toy Dogwatch
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books.
Microwave Chardonnay
ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion.
Sweetness
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. 🌌 Elevating my reading routine – this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. 📚🔑 I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers.
Mammoth 2
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience! A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
Highway
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met.
Wings
This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Dropkick
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖
Knock Out Star
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
LyRz
With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. 📚🎧
Hemlock
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
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