Book description
Christian Gauss Award ShortlistWinner of the ASAP Book PrizeA Literary Hub Book of the Year "Makes the case that the gimmick...is of tremendous critical value...Lies somewhere between critical theory and Sontag's best work."--Los Angeles Review of Books "Ngai exposes capitalism's tricks in her mind-blowing study of the time- and labor-saving devices we call gimmicks."--New Statesman "One of the most creative humanities scholars working today...My god, it's so good."--Literary Hub "Ngai is a keen analyst of overlooked or denigrated categories in art and life...Highly original."--4Columns "It is undeniable that part of what makes Ngai's analyses of aesthetic categories so appealing...is simply her capacity to speak about them brilliantly."--Bookforum "A page turner."--American Literary History Deeply objectionable and yet strangely attractive, the gimmick comes in many guises: a musical hook, a financial strategy, a striptease, a novel of ideas. Above all, acclaimed theorist Sianne Ngai argues, the gimmick strikes us both as working too little (a labor-saving trick) and working too hard (a strained effort to get our attention). When we call something a gimmick, we register misgivings that suggest broader anxieties about value, money, and time, making the gimmick a hallmark of capitalism. With wit and critical precision, Ngai explores the extravagantly impoverished gimmick across a range of examples: the fiction of Thomas Mann, Helen DeWitt, and Henry James; the video art of Stan Douglas; the theoretical writings of Stanley Cavell and Theodor Adorno. Despite its status as cheap and compromised, the gimmick emerges as a surprisingly powerful tool in this formidable contribution to aesthetic theory.
Racy Lion
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. 📚✨ Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
Thrasher
Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Darling Peacock
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience.
Solitaire
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could.
WanderWord
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. 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.
Pop Bee
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze.
Tornado Maker
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. 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.
Succubus In Training
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find.
TeederSmartie
Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
FRMhndshk
🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 🛌 Indulging in soothing bedtime stories – this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. 🌙📚 Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection. 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.
Houston
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Daisy Stick
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. 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!
Trixie Doodle
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
ByteBard
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions.
Digital Equinox
Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks.
Fuzzy Claws
Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! 📱🎧 Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Eye Candy Kitten
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience.
High Woo
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source.
Terror Master
🏡 Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house – it's like having a helper! 🏠📚 The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Miss Mustard
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. 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!
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