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.
Criss Cross
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Sleepwalker
πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time.
Nacho
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish.
Elder Pogue
ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Fast Draw
This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Sky Herald
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
BloodEater
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
All Natural
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
LyRz
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Midnight Bat
πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Alpha
With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ πΌ Making every minute count β this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. π±π ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Granola
I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus!
Friday Fox
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Joker's Grin
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
VenusLion
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Roadblock
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π πββοΈπ Running with purpose β audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Skittle Mine
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. 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!
SkyGod
π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable!
Bleachers
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Milan Call Back
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
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