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.
Easy Street
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem!
NoiseCake
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Renegade Slugger
Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
Cali Yacht
This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips.
Rando Tank
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Winded On Friday
As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
London Fox
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes!
ELLerG!c
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move – it's like having a tutor by my side. Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. 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!
DragonBlood
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
The Dude
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Kabuki
Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Jungle King
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved!
Arsenic Coo
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now!
Mafia Princess
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Frenzy
Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear.
Wings
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Paris Boost
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Disco Thunder
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
NightDream
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient. 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!
Bad Beh8vior
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
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