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.
Spellbinder
π Rekindling my love for reading β this app makes each day a new adventure! ππ The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Ex0tic
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Station WMD
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Racy Babe
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Grave Scuttlebutt
πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
Chicago Blackout
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers.
Sand Whiskers
πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Divine Bramble
With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Innocent Ghost
πΆββοΈπ§ Walking has never been this productive β exploring new worlds while I exercise! ποΈπ« Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Undergrad Split
This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate. 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 Herald
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Wooden Man
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Spoiler Betty
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. Binaural audio processing is a game-changer β my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. 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!
Darling Peacock
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Tall Honey
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Hobo Samurai
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach.
Easy Mac
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Morbid Sugar
Savoring audiobooks without fuss β this app's design is impressive. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
Nacho
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. 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. 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.
180
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
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