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 (ยถ) 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.
Pepper
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureโitโs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Rook
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. ๐ช Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features โ audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! ๐ผ๐ง The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Valley Guardian
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. Seamless audiobook integration โ this app's design is remarkable. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackโit's all up to me! Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
Dark Burn
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. ListenBookโs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
NightWonka
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. Audiobooks on demand โ this app's functionality is a true technological gem. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy!
Evil Smith
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks โ this app has converted me! ListenBook is a game-changer โ it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed.
Stud Buster
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment.
ThoughtTrailblazer
Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read โ this app is always ready. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Father Abbot
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! ๐ง This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ๐๐ณ
Austin Shamrock
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app โ it's revitalizing. ๐ถ๐ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies โ my ears are in love! ๐ต๐ ๐ฅ Spicing up my routine with this app โ it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! โจ๐ Audiobooks at my fingertips โ this app's ease of use is a game-changer.
SubWoof330
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
RedFeet
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Candy Butcher
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Brick Mooch
I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. ๐ผ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives โ this app is my multitasking hero! ๐ป๐ Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Night Train
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps.
Bad Badminton
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app โ it's like being in the story. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. Iโm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Jo Jo Spooky
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itโs so convenient.
Burn
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. ๐๏ธ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level โ audiobooks make it an adventure! ๐๐ Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback.
Pistol Hydro
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! 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!
Moon Cricket
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go.
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