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.
Freesia
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ
Pink Hopper
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Trixie
Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable. 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Lincoln Rider
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool.
Bruh
ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Baby Brown
Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Vortex
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Bad Beret
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ ListenBookβs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
Cowboy Booter
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Iron Butterfly
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Universe Bullet
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Mental
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
Predator
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Tomcat
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier β this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. π±π§
Sky
With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Round Kick Boomer
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. ππ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Wonder Lady
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯ 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. ππ§
Darkside Hooker
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Knuckles
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Tweety
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
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