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.
Wiccan Trouble
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection.
Hang 11
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories.
Moon Radar
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Heavenly Connection
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Kinged
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnβt stop listening.
Spooky Electric
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a true marvel.
Teeder
πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Bugger
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind.
MysticMingle
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Cereal Killer
Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Waylay Dave
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights β I'm never without a good story. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch.
Eye Candy Kitten
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
ReiGnZ
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
21st Street
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening.
K-Tin Man
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
Killah Goose
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Gumby Train
ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Crossing Guard
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
RDTN
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
CZR
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime.
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