Book description
American pop music is arguably this country's greatest cultural contribution to the world, and its singular voice and virtuosity were created by a shining thread of Black women geniuses stretching back to the country's founding. This is their surprising, heartbreaking, soaring story--from "one of the generation's greatest, most insightful, most nuanced writers in pop culture" (Shea Serrano) "Sparkling . . . the overdue singing of a Black girl's song, with perfect pitch . . . delicious to read."--Oprah DailyONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, The Root, Variety, Esquire, The Guardian, Newsweek, Pitchfork, She Reads, Publishers Weekly SHORTLISTED FOR THE PORCHLIGHT BUSINESS BOOK AWARD A weave of biography, criticism, and memoir, Shine Bright is Danyel Smith's intimate history of Black women's music as the foundational story of American pop. Smith has been writing this history for more than five years. But as a music fan, and then as an essayist, editor (Vibe, Billboard), and podcast host (Black Girl Songbook), she has been living this history since she was a latchkey kid listening to "Midnight Train to Georgia" on the family stereo. Smith's detailed narrative begins with Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved woman who sang her poems, and continues through the stories of Mahalia Jackson, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Mariah Carey, as well as the under-considered careers of Marilyn McCoo, Deniece Williams, and Jody Watley. Shine Bright is an overdue paean to musical masters whose true stories and genius have been hidden in plain sight--and the book Danyel Smith was born to write.
Twix Bond
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³
Abyss Tamer
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Delicious Wing
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight.
Scrapple
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
McDreamy
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. 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.
Solitaire
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity.
Sleek Zelda
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯ 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!
Cosmo
ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Wanted Candy
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Master Jetson
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§
Petite Flurry
This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Carrot Joker
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears.
Troubadour
This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
Mum Mary
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
Mother Night
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Proper
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π
Coma Stalk
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app. 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!
Die Slice
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. 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! Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Tse Tse Guy
π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion.
Winter Underdog
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
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