Book description
"As a bookseller, I loved Shelf Life for the chance to peer behind the curtain of Diwan, Nadia Wassef's Egyptian bookstore--the way that the personal is inextricable from the professional, the way that failure and success are often lovers, the relationship between neighborhoods and books and life. Nadia's story is for every business owner who has ever jumped without a net, and for every reader who has found solace in the aisles of a bookstore."--Emma Straub, author of All Adults Here "Shelf Life is such a unique memoir about career, life, love, friendship, motherhood, and the impossibility of succeeding at all of them at the same time. It is the story of Diwan, the first modern bookstore in Cairo, which was opened by three women, one of whom penned this book. As a bookstore owner I found this fascinating. As a reader I found it fascinating. Blunt, honest, funny."--Jenny Lawson, author of Broken (in the best possible way)The warm and winning story of opening a modern bookstore where there were none, Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller recounts Nadia Wassef's troubles and triumphs as a founder and manager of Cairo-based Diwan The streets of Cairo make strange music. The echoing calls to prayer; the raging insults hurled between drivers; the steady crescendo of horns honking; the shouts of street vendors; the television sets and radios blaring from every sidewalk. Nadia Wassef knows this song by heart. In 2002, with her sister, Hind, and their friend, Nihal, she founded Diwan, a fiercely independent bookstore. They were three young women with no business degrees, no formal training, and nothing to lose. At the time, nothing like Diwan existed in Egypt. Culture was languishing under government mismanagement, and books were considered a luxury, not a necessity. Ten years later, Diwan had become a rousing success, with ten locations, 150 employees, and a fervent fan base. Frank, fresh, and very funny, Nadia Wassef's memoir tells the story of this journey. Its eclectic cast of characters features Diwan's impassioned regulars, like the demanding Dr. Medhat; Samir, the driver with CEO aspirations; meditative and mythical Nihal; silent but deadly Hind; dictatorial and exacting Nadia, a self-proclaimed bitch to work with--and the many people, mostly men, who said Diwan would never work. Shelf Life is a portrait of a country hurtling toward revolution, a feminist rallying cry, and an unapologetic crash course in running a business under the law of entropy. Above all, it is a celebration of the power of words to bring us home.
Pixie
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Toe
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend! 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!
Turnip King
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. ListenBookβs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Demolition Queen
This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go β it's like carrying a library in my pocket. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Airport Hobo
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Flashpoint
I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
Lumberyard
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Wrangler Jim
π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Pistol Hydro
The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
Sassy Muffin
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks β this app has converted me! I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me.
Switch
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side.
Neophyte Believer
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. 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!
Duchess
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
Sultan of Speed
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π 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!
Black Firefly
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Guillotine
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ
Sβmore Vixen
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Fuzzy Claws
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Vortex
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Princess Dove
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences.
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