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.
Roller Girl
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption.
Sly Bible
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable.
Sass Burst
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic β what a win! As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Achilles Mountain
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
FlyGuardX
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations.
Celtic Charger
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments.
TrinitySoul
Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. 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! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Street Squirrel
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ Audiobooks on demand β this app's functionality is a true technological gem. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience.
Blood Taker
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and 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.
Mr. Thanksgiving
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§ The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Landfill Max
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. 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! A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Commando
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π
Spunky Chick
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience β it's like having a personal audio library. Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Pogue
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze.
Good-lookinβ
The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
K-9
π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials.
Po1son
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness.
Infinite Hole
With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Stud
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Blistered Outlaw
The app's stability is impressive β it runs smoothly without any glitches. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process β I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. 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!
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