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.
CuriousCrafter
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Manly
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨
Jigsaw
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Storm Master
This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
360
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance β it's a must-have for any reader. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
Stud muffin
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
FireBrang
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go β it's like carrying a library in my pocket. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life.
Waylay Dave
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. 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§
Hella Fella
I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
Raid Bucker
I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Pitfall
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. 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.
Tacklebox
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Fast FLAK
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Dallas Foxface
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find.
FrankenGrin
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Widow Curio
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish.
Upper D3ckR
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers! ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Instant Star
ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. 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!
Voodoo Cyclone
Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Scare Stone
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
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