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.
Tomcat
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Roadblock
This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iβm in the story.
Hyper
πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Mad Irishman
ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable.
Intimidating Presence
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Crossing Guard
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise.
Venom Charms
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Marine Dre
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
Copilot
π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
Dr. Cocktail
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Potato Sub
π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Electric Saturn
ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length β I'm in! Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. 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.
Scuffs
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly.
Bitmap
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
Diamond Gamer
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments β I'm forever grateful. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
CuriousCrafter
Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Freeze Queen
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
Goldman
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. 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.
Innocent Ghost
πΌ Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! π»π π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length β I'm in! I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts.
Tan Stallion
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. I've found my new favorite way to relax β cuddled up with an audiobook. The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
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