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.
BlacKitten
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§ Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Blistered Outlaw
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Seattle Jay
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ππ± Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Polar Bee
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature.
M8deUp
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort.
SunVolt
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening.
Widow Curio
ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
Hemlock
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
VisionVortex
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
Double Eerie
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ
Gro
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ
ForumFlare
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Wolf Tribune
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Ember Master
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality β a journey into captivating worlds. No more worries about compatibility β ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
White Snare
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience.
HighBomber
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Juice Petite
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app.
Lincoln Rider
Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Mad Robin
The app's stability is impressive β it runs smoothly without any glitches. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free.
Tall Honey
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± 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. ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
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