Book description
What would it mean to queer contemplation? To disentangle contemplative spirituality from heteronormativity, patriarchy, and Eurocentricity, and instead engage with openness, curiosity, and a little weirdness? The world of contemplative Christianity has yielded to the same voices for far too long, many of whom are from centuries before our time, with lives unlike our own, and often from experiences disconnected from marginalization, oppression, and what it feels like to be an outsider. Cassidy Hall, an LGBTQIA+ Christian contemplative scholar and podcast host, takes us on a journey to queer the contemplative tradition.For Hall, queering is not solely about identifying as queer or applying queer theory; it is about what is gained by seeing things differently. "Queer," she says, "is the way I tilt my head to look at the world." As queerness reawakened her own contemplative life, Hall discovered that queering and questioning the tradition allowed her to listen more closely to voices that are queer, marginalized, and oppressed--voices that have long existed but have often been overlooked or silenced. For Hall, that also meant moving differently into contemplation, into silence, into liminality and ritual. In showing us the way, she helps us envision what contemplative faith can look like, what spiritual spaces we can reclaim for welcome--and how queering contemplation, and lifting up queer contemplative voices, frees us to seek the infinite possibility of our own identity and engage our spiritual lives with open hearts and open hands. Whether you're queer or want to queer your own perspectives, or whether you want to uncover the queerness and queer voices in the contemplative tradition--Hall throws open the doors of contemplative spirituality for all, bringing us to contemplation in very new, sometimes old, but always queer ways.
About the Author
Cassidy S. Hall, MA, MDiv, MTS, (she/her) is an author, award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, and leading voice in contemplative spirituality. She iscohost of the Encountering Silence podcast and the creator of the Contemplating Now and Queering Contemplation podcasts. Her films include In Pursuit of Silence and Day of a Stranger. Cassidy is widely published and currently resides in Indianapolis, where she is studying for her DMin degree.
Highlander Monk
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Chew Chew
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Backstreet
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Apple Nola
This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Mental
โฐ Maximizing my time with efficient features โ this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. ๐โณ ๐๏ธ The app's functionality is a true work of art โ it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ๐๐จ Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
Crumb Cake
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use.
Dance Cannon
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine โ it's my ultimate audio companion. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Jack Cassidy
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization โ top-notch. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read โ this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. ๐ Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! ๐บ๐ง The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Darth 44
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically.
Chapstick
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales โ walking never felt this magical! ๐๏ธ๐ CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Breadmaker
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Pink C
ListenBook has given me the gift of time โ turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
RealmRanger
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. ๐โจ The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Sugar Man
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting โ pure magic! Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Flakes
Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itโs a unique feature.
Teeder
The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureโit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Unleashed
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorโs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnโt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Sir Shove
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Teeder
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didnโt dislike it, but I also didnโt feel strongly about it one way or another.
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