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.
Lady Peach
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have! 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!
Stud muffin
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read โ this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly โ this app's design is a true winner. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Leaf Assassin
The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Bazooka Har-de-har
๐ฅ Spicing up my routine with this app โ it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! โจ๐ I love the statistics feature. Itโs fun to see how much Iโve listened.
QuestQuill
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. The app is so reliable. Iโve never had any issues with it. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Sloth
๐ฅ Spicing up my routine with this app โ it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! โจ๐ Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves!
CloudFrenzy
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again โ it's a must-have. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. ๐ถ๐ Tuning in to the symphony of stories โ audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. ๐ต๐ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
DreamWeaver
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. ๐ฑ Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go โ this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ๐๐ Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureโitโs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Jungle King
Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! The app is so well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Sw00sh
I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning.
Stickers
Navigating audiobooks with ease โ this app's design is user-centric. Organization made simple โ this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ๐๐ฑ ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Goatee Shield
With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream โ simple and efficient. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Zorkle Sporkle
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax.
Koi Diva
The sound quality is outstanding โ it's like having a movie theater in my ears! I'm amazed by the variety of genres available โ there's something for everyone. Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver!
Flyswat Briggs
ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Uncle Buddy
Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! ๐ฑ๐ง Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Romance Princess
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream.
Chameleon
The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
ButterQuest
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Queen Ginger
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. Iโm 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! This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
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