Book description
"A searing account of gang violence and its consequences...Macedo's grim story, expertly documented by Katz, cries for a documentary series to follow his fortunes as, after years in prison, he strives for redemption. A masterful work of true crime--and, to be sure, true punishment."--Kirkus Reviews (Starred review)Baby-faced teen Giovanni Macedo is desperate to find belonging in one of LA's most predatory gangs, the Columbia Lil Cycos--so desperate that he agrees to kill an undocumented Mexican street vendor. The vendor, Francisco Clemente, had been refusing to give in to the gang's shakedown demands. But Giovanni botches the hit, accidentally killing a newborn instead. The overlords who rule the Lil Cycos from a Supermax prison 1,000 miles away must be placated and Giovanni is lured across the border where, in turn, the gang botches his killing. And so, incredibly, Giovanni rises from the dead, determined to both seek redemption for his unforgivable crime and take down the gang who drove him to do it. With The Rent Collectors, Jesse Katz has built a teeth clenching and breathless narrative that explicates the difficult and proud lives of undocumented black market workers who are being extorted by the gangs and fined by the city of LA--in other words, exploited by two sets of rent collectors.
About the Author
Jesse Katz is a former Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles magazine writer whose honors include the James Beard Foundation's M. F. K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award, PEN Center USA's Literary Journalism Award, a National Magazine Award nomination, and two shared Pulitzer Prizes. His writing has appeared in the anthologies Best American Magazine Writing, Best American Crime Writing, and Best American Sports Writing. As a volunteer with InsideOUT Writers, he has mentored incarcerated teenagers at Central Juvenile Hall and the former California Youth Authority. His first book, The Opposite Field, was set in LA's immigrant suburbs.
Doz Killer
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
Nutmeg
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level โ it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Miss Fix It
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. ๐๏ธ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt โ what a game-changer! ๐๐ Audiobook pleasure simplified โ this app's functionality is a reader's delight. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Bug Fire
๐๐ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks โ driving has never been this fun! ๐๐ง Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. ๐๐
VisionVoyager
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now โ all thanks to this app. Audiobook enjoyment redefined โ this app's design focuses on the essentials. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story!
Bad Princess
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again โ it's a must-have app. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. 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.
Alley Fiend
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. I'm hooked on this app's curated content โ it's like having a personal librarian. Audiobooks on the go โ this app's design prioritizes convenience. Effortless and enriching โ that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. ๐ฑ๐
Energy
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
Petite Flurry
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge.
NightWonka
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iโll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Crossing Guard
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
West Warrior
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itโs a pleasure to use.
QuantumQuill
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze.
Darkside Orbit
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
MindfulMingle
โฐ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks โ energizing! ๐ ๐ง ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks โ pure bliss! ๐๏ธ๐ ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
MrOnsTr
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. ๐ฑ An entire library at my fingertips โ this app is a book lover's dream come true! ๐๐ ๐ Embracing reading in the digital age โ this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. ๐ฑ๐ Efficiency meets audiobooks โ this app's functionality is a true triumph. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Bambi Wings
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. ๐ง Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly โ this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ๐๐ Efficiency meets audiobooks โ this app's functionality is a true standout. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Spitfire
I can't imagine my life without this app โ it's my daily dose of literary magic. ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ Effortless audiobook exploration โ this app's functionality is a true delight. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy. The app is so well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Suicide Crusher
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Black Firefly
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. ๐ Making each day a new chapter โ this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ๐๐ Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
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