Book description
One of California's leading writers, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in fiction, presents her first nonfiction volume on writing since 2005's best-selling Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel.Long acclaimed as one of America's preeminent novelists, Jane Smiley is also an unparalleled observer of the craft of writing. In The Questions That Matter Most this Pulitzer Prize-winning writer offers steady and penetrating essays on some of the aesthetic and cultural issues that mark any serious engagement with reading and writing. Beginning with a personal introduction tracing Smiley's migration from Iowa to California, the author reflects on her findings in the varied literature of the Golden State, whose writers have for decades litigated the West's contested legacies of racism, class conflict, and sexual politics through their pens.As she considers the ambiguity of character and the weight of history, her essays provide new entry points into literature, and we lucky readers can see how Smiley draws inspiration from across the literary spectrum to invigorate her own writing. With enthusiasm and meticulous attention, Smiley dives beneath surface-level interpretations to examine the works of Marguerite de Navarre, Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Louisa May Alcott, Mark Twain, Willa Cather, Franz Kafka, Halldór Laxness, and Jessica Mitford. Throughout, Smiley seeks to think harder and, in her words, with "more clarity and nuance" about the questions that matter most.
Microwave
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
Shadow Gal
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. ⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! ☀️🎧 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Jelly Momentum
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable.
EchoExplorer
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Plegasus
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖
Gothic Slacker
🎉 My audiobook haven – this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! 📚🔑 Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
LunaStar
ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Magenta
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. 🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions.
HighBomber
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Scuffs
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. I’m 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!
Centurion Sherman
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Lilac Lizard
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 Effortlessly immersing in stories – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel.
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Greek Rifle
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖 Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow.
Dr. WMD
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. 💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. 🌟🎧 I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Mad Robin
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move.
Double Eerie
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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! 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.
Pitfall
Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Riff Raff
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧
Toolmaker
ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly. I’m 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!
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