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 (¶) 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.
Miss Nova
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. I'm hooked on this app – it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. ⭐️ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures – this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! 👚🎧 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
RedMouth
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Gbbledgoodk
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. 🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫 ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
NexusNavigator
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life – it's a unique experience. I'm amazed by the variety of genres available – there's something for everyone. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Red Pepper
Audiobook enjoyment redefined – this app's design focuses on the essentials. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Sugar Man
Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Dancing Madman
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Feral Mayhem
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators – they add a unique charm to each book. Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. 💡 This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts – it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. 📚🎧 The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Wheels
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. 🌟🎧 ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly.
Stud
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. 💡 This app's convenience is a blessing – I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! 📱👩🍳 ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality.
LocKz
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits – it's a game-changer. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚
Scratch
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes.
DreamDasher
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Mr. 44
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊
Married Man
This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities.
Sweet Manhattan
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. 💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Hairpin
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
Snake Eyes
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Twinkle Cutlass
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊 I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
VisionVortex
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
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