Book description
Dear Journal,
June 12, 2024
Just finished The City We Became on audiobook-couldn't stop the subway ride home.
N.K. Jemisin's voice in the narration? Pure New York. Not the glossy postcard version, but the messy, breathing, alive one. She doesn't just tell you NYC has a soul-she makes you feel it in your bones. Like when she describes the subway as "the city's pulse," and the audiobook's sound design drops in the rumble of a train beneath the words. Chills.
The five protectors-Janet, a historian; Ben, a subway worker; a drag queen; a tech bro; a writer-they're not superheroes. They're us. The kind of people you pass on the street, arguing over coffee, late for work. Jemisin writes them with such warmth, you'll find yourself rooting for them like old friends. And the audiobook? The narrator nails their voices-Janet's quiet strength, Ben's easy humor, the drag queen's sharp wit. You don't just hear them; you know them.
The evil lurking beneath the city? It's not some cartoon villain. It's the slow rot of gentrification, of losing history, of forgetting what makes a place yours. Jemisin makes it terrifyingly real. And the audiobook's pacing? Perfect. Short, urgent chapters that leave you desperate to press play again.
I drove home listening, and for the first time, the city felt different. Not just a backdrop, but a character. The traffic noise, the street vendors, even the sirens-they all had a rhythm, like the city was talking back.
This isn't just a book about saving a city. It's about remembering why you love yours. And Jemisin? She doesn't just write it-she makes you hear it.
P.S. I'm listening to the sequel already. Just... don't tell my commute time.
Stickers
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Apple Nola
π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
Dez North
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
Round Kick Boomer
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments.
Most Wanted
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
CuriousCraft
No more fighting over the radio during family trips β we're all hooked on audiobooks now. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
BuzzBait
This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
LoreLoomer
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! 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!
Pitfall Whiskers
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Red Heroine
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Mercury Reborn
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go.
East Army
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
CyberScribe
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. Audiobooks on demand β this app's functionality is a true technological gem. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
DreamWeaver
I can't get enough of this app β it's a true game-changer for book lovers. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library.
RealmRanger
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Marshmallow Treat
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Fresh Peper
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments.
High-Fructose
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Master Jetson
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§
Bugger
π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets! The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
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