Book description
A charming and indispensable tour of two thousand years of the written word, Shady Characters weaves a fascinating trail across the parallel histories of language and typography. Whether investigating the asterisk (*) and dagger (+)--which alternately illuminated and skewered heretical verses of the early Bible--or the at sign (@), which languished in obscurity for centuries until rescued by the Internet, Keith Houston draws on myriad sources to chart the life and times of these enigmatic squiggles, both exotic (ΒΆ) and everyday (&).From the Library of Alexandria to the halls of Bell Labs, figures as diverse as Charlemagne, Vladimir Nabokov, and George W. Bush cross paths with marks as obscure as the interrobang (?) and as divisive as the dash (--). Ancient Roman graffiti, Venetian trading shorthand, Cold War double agents, and Madison Avenue round out an ever more diverse set of episodes, characters, and artifacts.Richly illustrated, ranging across time, typographies, and countries, Shady Characters will delight and entertain all who cherish the unpredictable and surprising in the writing life.
About the Author
Keith Houston is the author of Shady Characters and The Book. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Mental Floss, BBC Culture, and on Time.com. He lives in Birmingham, England.
Rosie Bird
ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance!
Liquid Death
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ
Bom Crossed
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Savoring audiobooks without fuss β this app's design is impressive. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Doughboy, Esq
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy.
Pitfall Whiskers
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Are Ess Tee
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Knight Light
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
Nice Gnome
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
Stacker of Wheat
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged.
Dark Burn
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. This app is a time-saver β I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
Lord Nikon
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life.
Burst Nibbler
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments.
Ladybird
Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Emerald Goddess
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Mustard Centaur
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience.
ManManMan
Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Casanova
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app.
Sofa King
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is a game-changer. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
Cereal Killer
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ππ
CyberScribe
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
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