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.
Killer Curio
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. 📱 It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. 📚🔥 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
LifeRobber
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it!
WonderWords
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by!
Black Fantastic
💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! 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. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Alias Stick
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks.
PP Dubs
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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!
Black Hole Necromancer
Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
Nacho
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. 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!
Tin Mutt
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide.
The Beekeeper
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Shadow Gal
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable.
Divine Bramble
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. 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.
Twisty Dew
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging.
Winter Underdog
🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Poppy Coffee
User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook 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!
Short Firecracker
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! ListenBook is more than just an app – it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination.
Microwave
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail.
Valley Guardian
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. 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!
Dropkick
No more straining my eyes to read – now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling.
Kazami of Truth
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. 🚗📚 Turn traffic into a literary escape – this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. 🚗🎧 Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content.
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