Book description
The Memory Palace is a collection of crystalline historical tales that read like luminous short fiction and, like Nate DiMeo's acclaimed podcast of the same name, conjure lost moments and forgotten figures who are calling out across time to be remembered. Space capsules filled with fruit flies and future senators. A socialite scientist who gives up her glamorous life to follow love and the elusive prairie chicken. A boy genius on a path to change the world who gets lost in the theoretical possibilities of streetcar transfers. An enslaved man who steals a boat and charts a course that leads him to freedom, war, and Congress. A farmer's wife who puts down her butter churn, picks up the butter, and becomes an international art star. An amusement park glowing at the water's edge when electric lights are a brand-new thing. This cabinet of curiosities teems with wonder. For fifteen years, Nate DiMeo has turned to the past to make sense of the way we live today, finding beauty and meaning in history's dustier corners, holding things up to the light and weaving facts, keen insight, wit, and poignant observation into unforgettable tales. With new stories and treasured favorites from the beloved podcast assembled alongside dynamic illustrations and archival photographs for the first time, enchantment awaits you.Review“The only problem with The Memory Palace—an incredible book, executed beautifully—is that for months after you read it you will repeat the stories to everyone you meet, everywhere you go. Nate DiMeo has magically curated American history and unearthed dozens of incredible stories, every one a pure delight, and written about them the way only he can—with humor, passion, and poetry. This is a book everyone in your life will love and cherish.”—Michael Schur, author of How to Be Perfect and creator of The Good Place “A caravan of curiosities. In mining ‘the space between the story of our lives and those lives as we live them,’ DiMeo plays magician, conjuring the enchantments that reside in the subtle and unseen, often moment to moment . . . DiMeo’s illumination of small wonders edifies and entertains.”—Kirkus Reviews “A charming array of underknown stories about people, animals, and objects, and their effect on the zeitgeist . . . The Memory Palace is a wonderful collection of historical vignettes portraying fateful moments in time with often-enduring consequences. DiMeo’s flair for the short history is evident, and his book is ceaselessly entertaining.”—BooklistAbout the Author Nate DiMeo is the creator, producer, and host of The Memory Palace, a podcast from Radiotopia and PRX. He was previously the artist in residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has performed stories from The Memory Palace in theaters all over the United States, as well as Canada, England, Ireland, and in a field at a rock festival in Tasmania. He has reported stories for National Public Radio’s Morning Edition and All Things Consider and American Public Media’s Marketplace, as well as numerous other public radio programs. He is the co-author of Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America, for which he was a finalist for the Thurber Prize in American Humor. He has written for NBC’s Parks and Recreation and the ABC miniseries, The Astronaut Wives’ Club. He lives in Los Angeles by way of Providence, Rhode Island.
Plenty Orange
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. 💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉 ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless.
Wings
Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. 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.
Apple Nola
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's design is user-centric. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Taz Ringer
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
EchoEmissary
Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚 Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Tweety Bun Bun
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Pluto
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Sugar Apple
Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts.
Breezy Mustang
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
Unleashed
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
ThoughtTraveler
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless.
Senior Smurf
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
Shy Warrior
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Killah Goose
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Dr. WMD
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Jester
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
ThreadTraveler
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner.
Low Voltage
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
RoarSweetie
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
AxelRoad
Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧 Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
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