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.
LyRz
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. 🌌🎧 Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Ladysmith
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Microwave Chardonnay
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Venious
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts.
WeldMaster
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening.
Insane SweepKick
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊
Disco Potato
ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 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.
Flashpoint
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Trixie Doodle
Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward – thank you, app! Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers.
Coma Stalk
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
GuTzd
Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Muzish
ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Trixie
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Cooger
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. The app is worth every penny. It’s packed with features and works flawlessly.
Candy Butcher
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch.
Old Man Winter
🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers.
Con Mammoth
I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match.
Kazmii
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's pure bliss. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Casanova
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically.
WanderWord
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
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