Book description
Joshua Bennett's The Study of Human Life isn't just read-it's lived, especially through the sheer, intimate power of its audiobook. You don't just hear Bennett's words; you feel them settle into your bones, carried by his voice-a warm, resonant instrument that turns poetry into a shared heartbeat. This isn't background noise; it's a conversation with a brilliant, tender mind navigating a world both fractured and fiercely hopeful.
The album unfolds like a journey. First, his autobiographical poems-raw with the ache of family, loss, and youthful dreams-land with stunning clarity. You hear the vulnerability in his pauses, the quiet joy in lines about childhood. Then comes the stunning centerpiece: The Book of Mycah, where Malcolm X's resurrection collides with the ghost of a young Black man killed by police decades later in Brooklyn. Bennett's voice doesn't just narrate this alternate history-it breathes it, weaving grief and defiance into something mythic, urgent. The New Yorker called his work "bordering on mythic," and on audio, that's undeniable. You feel the weight of history pressing against the present, made immediate by his cadence.
And then, the final section-poems written after his child's birth. These are the heartbeats of the collection. Hearing Bennett speak about fatherhood, the terrifying, radiant fear and love of holding a new life, is profoundly moving. Tracy K Smith calls his voice "dolorous, rejoicing"-and on the audiobook, you hear both in the same breath, the sorrow and the soaring hope. It's not just about being a parent; it's about building a future, now, in the midst of chaos.
What makes this audiobook truly special is how Bennett's delivery makes the political personal and the personal political. When he writes about abolition, Black ecological consciousness, or the "boundless promise of parenthood," you don't feel lectured-you feel understood, connected. Jesse McCarthy's praise of him as "one of the brightest intellectual and political thinkers of a new generation" rings true here: Bennett doesn't just write about change; he makes you feel it, in the rhythm of his voice, in the space between his words. You're not just listening to a book; you're walking alongside him, in the quiet moments of his life and the urgent, collective work of building something new. It's a gift-a reminder that in the midst of emergency, we are, together, already creating the world we need. And that's a voice you'll carry with you long after the final word fades.
Baby Brown
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers! This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Master Jetson
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver – no more losing my place in the story! Audiobook enjoyment redefined – this app's design focuses on the essentials. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch.
Coma Stalk
Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Bad Beh8vior
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time.
Swing Setter
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. 🌌 Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey – thank you, this app! ✨📚 📱 Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap – this app is my digital library card! 📚📱
Dallas Foxface
👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
Firecracker
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Abiss
I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Rooster
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊 ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume.
Apex
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Blue Despair
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. 💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
QuestWeaver
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. 📚💫
Feral Cookie
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
DuckDuck
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits – truly impressive. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
Snow Pharaoh
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. 📱🔊 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch.
Whistler
This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
Bat Magenta
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. 🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗 Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Raid Bucker
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
3D Waffle
This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Y0dler
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. 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