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.
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Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Spitfire
π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
CuriousCrafter
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Delirium
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Tea Kettle
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Renegade Slugger
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Midnight Rambler
π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Glyph
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Cougar Fuzz
I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Wild Tesla
I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content.
Sky Herald
Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
180
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. No need to convert files anymore β ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Pink Stream
π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³ I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Demo
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning.
RiddleRanger
This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Runway Darling
The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
CyberScribe
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
BlacKitten
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
NoiseFire
Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
Backstreet
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. 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!
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