Book description
In this funny and poignant memoir and cultural history, the television personality, columnist, and author of Drag pays homage to Lou Reed's groundbreaking album Transformer on its fiftieth anniversary and recalls its influence on his coming of age and coming out through glam rock.In November 1972, Lou Reed released his album, Transformer because he thought it was "dreary for gay people to have to listen to straight people's love songs." That groundbreaking idea echoed with the times. That same year, Sweden was the first country to legalize gender-affirming surgery, and San Francisco struck down employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.Sometimes an artistic creation perfectly aligns with a broader social and political history, and Transformer--with the songs "Walk on the Wild Side," "Perfect Day," and "Vicious"--perfectly captured its time. "Walk on the Wild Side" was banned on radio across the country but became a massive hit when young people threatened to boycott stations that would not play it. The album's cover featured a high-contrast image of Lou, flaunting a new mascara'd glamrock incarnation, shot by legend Mick Rock, thereby underscoring his intention to create "a gay album."In Transformer, Doonan tells the story of how Lou Reed came to make the album with the help of David Bowie, and places its creation within the course of Reed's life. Doonan offers first-hand testimony of the album's impact on the LGBTQ+ community, recalling how it transformed his own life as a 20-year-old working class kid from Reading, England, who had just discovered the joys of London Glam Rock and was sparked by the artistic freedom of Warhol's The Factory. Transformer was a revelation--hearing Reed's songs, Doonan understood how the world was changing for him and his friends.A poignant, personal addition to modern music and LGBTQ+ history, Transformer captures a pivotal moment when those long silenced were finally given a voice. As transgender icon Candy Darling, highlighted in his lyrics, told Reed, "It's so nice to hear ourselves."Transformer includes approximatively 16 pages of black-and-white and color photos.
Star Killer
π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Boost
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Bitmap
I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Spoiler
This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. π§ Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. ππ± πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π One of the best audiobooks Iβve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorβs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Ember Rope
With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Mafia Rapunzel
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Married Man
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Stud muffin
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Find It Girl
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience. ListenBookβs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Fuzzy Claws
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. 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 ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books.
Cereal Killer
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. ππ§
Bug Fire
πΌ Making every minute count β this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. π±π ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Mantis Queen
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Noh Noh
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Nightmare King
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§
PP Dubs
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Delicious Cupid
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Lady Fantastic
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again β but in a modern, convenient way. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
NightDream
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use.
Prometheus
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
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