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.
BloodEater
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions.
Scooby Did
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The Happy Jock
Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Kamikaze Granny
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Fire Fish
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Romance Guppy
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
Cooger
The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection.
Jungle King
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RedFeet
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Fist Wizard
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Biscuit Meg
Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. π±π Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
DZE
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
NexusNomad
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life.
LoreLoomer
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Fuzzy Claws
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Venom Petunia
I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Thrasher
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true.
Danger Menace
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process β I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit.
Hex Panther
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didnβt dislike it, but I also didnβt feel strongly about it one way or another.
Candy Butcher
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears.
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