Book description
A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITOR'S CHOICE PICKONE OF THE LONDON TIMES' TOP TWENTY-SIX FICTION BOOKS OF THE YEARLA TIMES 5 BEST BOOKS OF 2022BBC Culture's 50 Best Books of 2022 "[Holleran's] new novel is all the more affecting and engaging because the images of isolation and old age here are haunted . . . in 1978 Holleran wrote the quintessential novel about gay abandon, the sheer, careless pleasure of it: Dancer From the Dance. Now, at almost 80 years of age, he has produced a novel remarkable for its integrity, for its readiness to embrace difficult truths and for its complex way of paying homage to the passing of time." --Colm Toibin, The New York Times Book Review "It's rare to find fiction that takes this kind of dying of the light as its subject and doesn't make its heroes feel either pathetic or polished with a gleam of false dignity . . . This sad, beautiful book captures the sensations Holleran's characters are chasing -- as well as the darkness that inevitably comes for them, and us." --Mark Athitakis, The Los Angeles Times One of the great appeals of Florida has always been the sense that the minute you get here you have permission to collapse. The Kingdom of Sand is a poignant tale of desire and dread--Andrew Holleran's first new book in sixteen years. The nameless narrator is a gay man who moved to Florida to look after his aging parents--during the height of the AIDS epidemic--and has found himself unable to leave after their deaths. With gallows humor, he chronicles the indignities of growing old in a small town. At the heart of the novel is the story of his friendship with Earl, whom he met cruising at the local boat ramp. For the last twenty years, he has been visiting Earl to watch classic films together and critique the neighbors. Earl is the only person in town with whom he can truly be himself. Now Earl's health is failing, and our increasingly misanthropic narrator must contend with the fact that once Earl dies, he will be completely alone. He distracts himself with sexual encounters at the video porn store and visits to Walgreens. All the while, he shares reflections on illness and death that are at once funny and heartbreaking. Holleran's first novel, Dancer from the Dance, is widely regarded as a classic work of gay literature. Reviewers have described his subsequent books as beautiful, exhilarating, seductive, haunting, and bold. The Kingdom of Sand displays all of Holleran's considerable gifts; it's an elegy to sex and a stunningly honest exploration of loneliness and the endless need for human connection, especially as we count down our days.
Silent
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Elder Pogue
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New Cycle
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Shamrock
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Skirble
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Dahlia Bumble
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New Cycle
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs.
Hen Skittle
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Kevlar Wanted
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Thumb Candy
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Stacker of Wheat
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly.
X-Dew
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Abyss Tamer
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Nice Gnome
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access.
Con Mammoth
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
Zorkle Sporkle
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks β this app has converted me! The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Storm Master
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Street Squirrel
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Wooden Man
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Day Hawk
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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