Book description
Longlisted for the Porchlight Business Book Awards "A smart and accessible cultural history."--Los Angeles Times "A fantastic examination of what became the mall ... envision[ing] a more meaningful public afterlife for our shopping centers."--Vultures A portrait--by turns celebratory, skeptical, and surprisingly moving--of one of America's most iconic institutions, from an author who "might be the most influential design critic writing now" (LARB). Few places have been as nostalgized, or as maligned, as malls. Since their birth in the 1950s, they have loomed large as temples of commerce, the agora of the suburbs. In their prime, they proved a powerful draw for creative thinkers such as Joan Didion, Ray Bradbury, and George Romero, who understood the mall's appeal as both critics and consumers. Yet today, amid the aftershocks of financial crises and a global pandemic, as well as the rise of online retail, the dystopian husk of an abandoned shopping center has become one of our era's defining images. Conventional wisdom holds that the mall is dead. But what was the mall, really? And have rumors of its demise been greatly exaggerated? In her acclaimed The Design of Childhood, Alexandra Lange uncovered the histories of toys, classrooms, and playgrounds. She now turns her sharp eye to another subject we only think we know. She chronicles postwar architects' and merchants' invention of the mall, revealing how the design of these marketplaces played an integral role in their cultural ascent. In Lange's perceptive account, the mall becomes newly strange and rich with contradiction: Malls are environments of both freedom and exclusion--of consumerism, but also of community. Meet Me by the Fountain is a highly entertaining and evocative promenade through the mall's story of rise, fall, and ongoing reinvention, for readers of any generation.
Bridge Whip
π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Marbles
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π
Fiend Oblivion
This app has reignited my passion for literature β I'm devouring books like never before. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Miss Fix It
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use β it's a reader's dream come true. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Slacker Cat
ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Pompeii Unicorn
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Street Jolly
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play β it's genius! CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Roma Kabuki
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment.
Mauve Cactus
I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts.
Eight Patrol
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Mint Ness
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Teeder
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§ π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Red Delicious
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. β° Waking up to audiobooks β mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! βοΈπ§ Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! Iβm blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and Iβve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Kill Switch
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨
Hobo Samurai
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve found. The interface is clean and easy to use. 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. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Night Train
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Girl Brownie
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
Mercury Reborn
Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine.
RiddleRanger
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
New York Mood
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§
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