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.
Pepper Prada
This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
Sleek Zelda
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Moon Peaches
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Sherm
ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Zorkle Sporkle
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Nessie
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Manly
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. 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!
ThreadTraveler
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design.
Serendipity
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
RoarSweetie
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Chew Chew
πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! πββοΈπ Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Blister
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
ThreadTrail
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights β I'm never without a good story. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. 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§ With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything!
Little Drunk Girl
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¨ The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
Ozzie Treat
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery. 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!
Street Squirrel
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! ListenBookβs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
Fresh Peper
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. πΆββοΈπ± I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. ποΈπ
Ella of Light
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
WanderWord
With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
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