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.
Pockets
No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Voluntary
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Highlander Monk
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything!
Mr. Peppermint
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Kamikaze Granny
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Lime
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged.
Silent
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back!
Duke Electro
🎧 Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app – pure listening pleasure! 📚🔥 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. 🌟🎧 Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
M8deUp
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. 🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Midnight Bat
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Miss Murder
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. 💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉 The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it!
Shwatson
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚
ButterQuest
Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds – this app's functionality is genius. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
TrinitySoul
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends – and they all love it! Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
HighBomber
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction.
NexusNavigator
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration.
Cool Law Topping
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience.
Contrary Mary
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
InfinityInsight
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. 🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀
Suicide Jockey
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
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