Book description
One of The Washington Post's Ten Best Books of 2022. Finalist for the 2022 Kirkus Prize. One of the New York Times' 10 Best California Books of 2022 and one of NPR's Best Books of 2022. A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice."A wide and deep view of a dynamic, multiethnic Southern California . . . Susan Straight is an essential voice in American writing and in writing of the West." --The New York Times Book Review From the National Book Award finalist Susan Straight, Mecca is a stunning epic tracing the intertwined lives of native Californians fighting for life and land Johnny Frías has California in his blood. A descendant of the state's Indigenous people and Mexican settlers, he has Southern California's forgotten towns and canyons in his soul. He spends his days as a highway patrolman pulling over speeders, ignoring their racist insults, and pushing past the trauma of his rookie year, when he killed a man assaulting a young woman named Bunny, who ran from the scene, leaving Johnny without a witness. But like the Santa Ana winds that every year bring the risk of fire, Johnny's moment of action twenty years ago sparked a slow-burning chain of connections that unites a vibrant, complex cast of characters in ways they never see coming. In Mecca, the celebrated novelist Susan Straight crafts an unforgettable American epic, examining race, history, family, and destiny through the interlocking stories of a group of native Californians all gasping for air. With sensitivity, furor, and a cinematic scope that captures California in all its injustice, history, and glory, she tells a story of the American West through the eyes of the people who built it--and continue to sustain it. As the stakes get higher and the intertwined characters in Mecca slam against barrier after barrier, they find that when push comes to shove, it's always better to push back.
xFRST
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content – it's my new favorite app. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. ⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Murder Cherry
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Wiccan Trouble
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. 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.
Lucky Martian
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧
Woodland Beauty
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Queen Ginger
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. ListenBook has given me the gift of time – turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader.
FearLeSS
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. 🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon – this app is my relaxation buddy! 🏖️🎧 What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Raggedy Ann
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Campfire Mama
👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Shimmy Shammy
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Hairpin
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
BlacKitten
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. This app has revolutionized my daily routine – I can't imagine life without it. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
CuriousCrafter
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Eye Candy Kitten
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Find It Girl
CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Lucifurious
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly.
Princess Dove
ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! 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.
Capital F
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
360
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
HedgeH0g2
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
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