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.
California Goddess
This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
TrinitySoul
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Atomic Blastoid
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Glyph
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Scuffs
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story.
Electric Saturn
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Solitaire
Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Devine Melon
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ
Frosty Snazz
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Gentle Avenger
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Boost Princess
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Sepukku
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Skool
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable.
Lskeee
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Sun Runner
The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
Fast Draw
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience β it's like having a personal audio library. Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files.
Sienna Princess
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Chlorine
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. Audiobook adventures simplified β this app's functionality is a revelation. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Mum Mary
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control.
Pogue
πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
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