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.
TeederSmartie
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Shade Nightman
Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Arsenic Coo
With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
Irish Dze
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. ⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. 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.
Wanted Candy
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Trip
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Grave Digger
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
Mosquit-No
With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. 💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉 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!
Queen Ginger
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience.
Little Cobra
Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Versace-Cat
Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
ButterQuest
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks.
Low Menace
Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Troubled Pie
This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me!
RoarSweetie
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. 🔥 Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger – this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. 📱📖 Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed.
DeathDancer
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. User-friendly audiobook experience – this app's design is a standout. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Sir Shark
I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Skull Crusher
I'm hooked on this app – it's like Netflix for book lovers! With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. 🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
Guillotine
This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver!
Oblivion
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
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