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.
Pogue
The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Opulent Gamer
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Skool
Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Liquid Death
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling.
NoiseFire
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition! 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.
Sky
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Kickstart
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
CuriousCraft
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. 🎙️ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt – what a game-changer! 🛒📚 🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Dark Horse
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖
Apple Nola
This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Sun Lemon
Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Toxic-oxide
📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Vagabond Warrior
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Green Ghost
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Skittle Mine
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
InsightInkwell
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks.
VileHero
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library.
Star Sword
Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's design is a game-changer. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel. 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.
Uluru Walker
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention.
Sapiens
Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. 📚👏 Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
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