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.
Alley Frog
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze.
Osprey
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine – thank you! My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Hog Butcher
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play – it's genius! Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
Infinite Hole
Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Moon Solitaire
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Granola Dove
Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Upper D3ckR
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. 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!
3D Waffle
This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. 🔥 Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger – this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. 📱📖 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. 📱🔊 Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚
WanderWord
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine.
Suicide Jockey
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Sass Burst
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions.
2nd Hand Joe
Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Cricket
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. 🎉 My audiobook haven – this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! 📚🔑 Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
Skittle Mine
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime.
Lskeee
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Baby Brown
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
LyRz
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
Vicious Street
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Tangerine
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Lady Peach
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience.
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