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.
Stick Shift
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
SpellTansy
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Wheels
Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
RiddleRover
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
FearLeSS
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
Delicious
I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Moon Peaches
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ππ§ is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Black Firefly
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time. 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!
Paris Boost
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization.
Flint
Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
QuestWeaver
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster.
Star Killer
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Snapple Whistler
Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Snow Cream
With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
StormCake
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Scrapple
I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem!
Gold Bentley
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Sweet Manhattan
ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. 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!
Earl of Arms
Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Natural Gold
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
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