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
Swan Mustang
With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around.
Dallas Burn
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. 🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫 🚶♀️🌌 This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure – I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. 🏞️📖 Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience.
Tweety
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Delirious Supernova
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Jetta Talent
The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Proper
Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Snow Hound
I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Congo Wire
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. 🎉📚 Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers.
Poppin Loot
🎉 The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. 📱🎧 Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
ByteBard
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Bridge Whip
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧
Cinder Coffee
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Mr. Spy
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback.
Troubled Chick
👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback.
Necromancer
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Dandelion
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Spunky Sphinx
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Fuzzy Rainbow
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
True Sweetness
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Lucifurious
This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears.
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