Book description
A daringly observant memoir about intergenerational trauma, fine art, and compartmentalization from a returning Soft Skull author and Lambda Literary Award winner A mixture of memoir, biography, criticism, and social history, Touching the Art is queer icon and activist Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore's interrogation of the possibilities of artistic striving, the limits of the middle-class mindset, the legacy of familial abandonment, and what art can and cannot do. Taking the form of a self-directed research project, Sycamore recounts the legacy of her fraught relationship with her late grandmother, an abstract artist from Baltimore who encouraged Mattilda as a young artist, then disparaged Mattilda's work as "vulgar" and a "waste of talent" once it became unapologetically queer. As she sorts through her grandmother Gladys's paintings and handmade paperworks, Sycamore examines the creative impulse itself. In fragments evoking the movements of memory, she searches for Gladys's place within the trajectories of midcentury modernism and Abstract Expressionism, Jewish assimilation and white flight, intergenerational trauma and class striving. Sycamore writes, "Art is never just art, it is a history of feeling, a gap between sensations, a safety valve, an escape hatch, a sudden shift in the body, a clipboard full of flowers, a welcome mat flipped over and back, over and back, welcome." Refusing easy answers in search of an embodied truth, Sycamore upends propriety to touch the art and feel everything that comes through.
Star Killer
ππ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed β bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! π΄π§ The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Miss Murder
Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving.
Buckshot
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
Gbbledgoodk
The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Lope Lope
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive.
Casanova
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Bat Magenta
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ
Irish Dze
This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ±
Eerie
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Download options are plenty β I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
Prof. Smirk
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
Pixie
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Blizzard Vixen
ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook!
IdeaAlchemy
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. 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. ππ± ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word.
Steel Solstice
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content β it's my new favorite app. π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ
Runway Darling
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
DreamDiver
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ
Devil Bread
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Shadow Bishop
With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play β it's genius! With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Cooger
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort.
SunVolt
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
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