Book description
FINALIST for the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction WINNER of the 2021 PEN/Faulkner Award WINNER of the 2020 Story Prize WINNER of the 2020 L.A. Times Book Prize, Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction "Beguiling." --The New Yorker "Tender, fierce, proudly black and beautiful, these stories will sneak inside you and take root." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Triumphant." --Publishers Weekly "Cheeky, insightful, and irresistible." --Ms. Magazine "This collection marks the emergence of a bona fide literary treasure." --Minneapolis Star Tribune "Full of lived-in humanity, warmth, and compassion." --Pittsburgh Current The Secret Lives of Church Ladies explores the raw and tender places where Black women and girls dare to follow their desires and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good. The nine stories in this collection feature four generations of characters grappling with who they want to be in the world, caught as they are between the church's double standards and their own needs and passions. There is fourteen-year-old Jael, who has a crush on the preacher's wife. At forty-two, Lyra realizes that her discomfort with her own body stands between her and a new love. As Y2K looms, Caroletta's "same time next year" arrangement with her childhood best friend is tenuous. A serial mistress lays down the ground rules for her married lovers. In the dark shadows of a hospice parking lot, grieving strangers find comfort in each other. With their secret longings, new love, and forbidden affairs, these church ladies are as seductive as they want to be, as vulnerable as they need to be, as unfaithful and unrepentant as they care to be, and as free as they deserve to be.
Master Jetson
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance – it's like having a personal audiobook curator. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Back Bett
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. 💃 Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores – a dance of productivity! 🎶📖 ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch.
Kill Switch
Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
All Natural
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
Find It Girl
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature! The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
StarStrider
🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition! Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Paris Boost
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Texas Butterfly
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
Black Walnut
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Redneck Giorgio
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
Twister Hero
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
360
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Bad Beret
Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment.
Dancing Madman
This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
StarStrider
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. 💼 Enhancing work-from-home productivity – audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. 💻📖 Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable.
Slow Trot
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
CuriousCoder
Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. 🎉🎧 I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Dark Burn
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life.
Pusher
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
Pusher
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 🎙️ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt – what a game-changer! 🛒📚 ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
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