Book description
Tiyo Attallah Salah-El died in 2018 on "Slow Death Row" while serving a life sentence in a Pennsylvania prison. He was a man with a dizzying array of talents and vocations: author, scholar, teacher, musician, and activist: he was the founder of the Coalition for the Abolition of Prisons. He was also, as is apparent from the letters written over a decade and half to his friend Paul Alan Smith that make up this book, an extraordinarily eloquent correspondent.Tiyo's missives present a vivid picture of the tribulations faced by those incarcerated, especially the nearly 60% who are non-white: habitual racism, arbitrary lockdowns, brutal beatings and hospitalizations, stifling heat and bitter cold. Here too are descriptions of Tiyo's individual struggles with cancer, aging, and the sirens of personal demons.Tiyo's refusal to succumb to such hardships is evident in dispatches that are generous, philosophical and often laugh-out-loud funny. Through them we learn of his many friendships, including those with the historian Howard Zinn, a range of activist/advocate supporters on the outside, and two fellow inmates who were leaders of the Black liberation group MOVE.At a time when the appalling racial bias of America's police and criminal justice system is under the spotlight as never before, Pen Pal is both a vital intervention and moving portrait of someone whose physical confinement could never extinguish an extraordinary free spirit.
Manly
🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Hobo Samurai
My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out.
Manly
This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. 🌟 Adding excitement to everyday tasks – this app is my partner in productivity! 📚🚀 The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained.
Proper
Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Wanted Candy
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
New Cycle
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Dark Burn
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
Congo Wire
Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
NecroBull
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Sweetness
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
42nd Street
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. I’m 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!
Low Menace
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Tweety Bun Bun
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have! The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Mantis Queen
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life.
ZenZone
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literature. ⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Vicious Street
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. I’ve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Jo Jo Spooky
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Boo
The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Troubled Pie
Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny! Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Lucifurious
🔥 Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger – this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. 📱📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
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