Book description
A singular achievement, Christina Sharpe’s Ordinary Notes explores, with immense care, profound questions about loss, pain and beauty; private memory and public monument; art; complexity; and the shapes of Black life that emerge in the wake. In a series of 248 brief and urgent notes that cumulatively gather meaning, artifacts from the past – both public ones and the poignantly personal – are skilfully interwoven with present-day realities and possible futures, intricately constructing an immersive portrait of everyday Black existence.At the heart of Ordinary Notes is the indelible presence of the author’s mother, Ida Wright Sharpe. ‘I learned to see in my mother’s house,’ writes Sharpe. ‘I learned how not to see in my mother’s house . . . My mother gifted me a love of beauty, a love of words.’ Using these gifts and other ways of seeing, a chorus of voices and experiences is summoned to the page. Sharpe practices an aesthetic of ‘beauty as a method’, collects entries from a community of thinkers toward a ‘Dictionary of Untranslatable Blackness’, and rigorously examines sites of memory and memorial. And in the process, she forges a brilliant new literary form, as multivalent as the ways of Black being it traces.‘An exquisitely original celebration of American Blackness.’ starred review, Kirkus‘A truly unique, artful, and thought-provoking account of both the history of what it means to be Black and what is required of us today. An immense collection of necessary notes on Black existence.’ Dipo Faloyin, author of Africa Is Not A Country‘What incredible generosity of deep listening, what presence on the page.’ Victoria Adukwei Bulley, author of Quiet‘In Christina Sharpe’s Ordinary Notes we find a decoding (but not an excuse) of the devaluation of Black bodies in architecture, literature, painting, photographs, exhibitions and archives of the past and also how it feels to be the object of that constant devaluation. Each precise note accruing added meaning from the last, the sum of which is much more than its parts. With the spirit of her discerning mother ever present this is essential reading for all.’ Roger Robinson, author of Home is Not a Place‘Ordinary Notes is like an intellectual ice climb – you move along a careful series of handholds to cross a terrain that might otherwise seem impassable, and afterward, you are amazed at the passage. At once an act of careful attention and a juxtaposition of observations and questions, the result is a powerful vision of American life, drawn from the Black intellectual history and aesthetics that Sharpe has cultivated as the means to her own liberation, so that she might offer it to others.’ Alexander Chee, author of How to Write an Autobiographical Novel‘Christina Sharpe is a brilliant thinker who attends unflinchingly to the brutality of our current arrangements and the violence of antiblackness and yet always finds a way to beauty and possibility. With exacting detail, she conveys the heartbreak of the imposed order and the openings that reside in the ordinary and offers a method, a poetics for refusing and exceeding the given, for sustaining life, for breaking the colonial frame, and imagining what might emerge at the end of the known world. Ordinary Notes is an exquisite text. It demands everything of the reader and, in turn, offers us a vocabulary for living.’ Saidiya Hartman, author of Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments‘A long regard, a movement along the possibilities, and the stillness, at the heart of thinking. In these pages, we experience continuities but not endings, and every person is asked to face their present, and to see and feel and think without innocence. Ordinary Notes will forever alter each reader who grapples with its disquiet and its beauty.’ Madeleine Thien, author of Do Not Say We Have Nothing‘Christina Sharpe’s Ordinary Notes is an extraordinary gift to readers, gathering between its covers all manner of reading, as it explores, with formal daring and analytical aplomb, history, society, politics, and culture, particularly where and when they intersect with Black lives, including the writer’s own. Among the many achievements here, these exemplary notes – which include a stirring recounting of the author’s intellectual and aesthetic formation, and a tribute to motherly and familial love in the face of this country’s and world’s relentless brutalities – show how one might combine memoir, memorial, literary criticism, political and cultural critique, and theoretical accounting in order to imagine a new model, suffused with grace, subtlety, rigor, and care, for how to read and think with and against, which is to say, to produce true and lasting knowledge.’ John Keene, author of Counternarratives‘Profoundly moving. It does important work on so many levels. Sharpe’s work always changes me in some way and that is the highest gift that art can give. I will refer to the individual notes in this magnificent collection for years to come.’ Tessa McWatt, author of The Snow Line
Pepper
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable.
SpellTansy
🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧 Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱
Indigo Red
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Shade Nightman
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Ginger Chaos
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
Tornado Maker
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Hoboken Nightingale
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. 🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Gentle Avenger
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. 🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Little Granger
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits.
RetroMirage
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go.
LoreLoomer
I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. 🌌 Elevating my reading routine – this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. 📚🔑 Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Sir Shove
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Fire Queen
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. 🏃♂️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! 🏃♂️📖 🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧 I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. 📚💫
Mosquit-No
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story.
Doz
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures.
Fast Draw
💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖 The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Flash
I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
Morbid Sugar
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. 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!
Parallax Sugar
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Winded On Friday
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes – options galore to suit everyone's preferences. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
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