Book description
Teddy Roosevelt once exclaimed, When I am in California, I am not in the West. I am west of the West, and in this book, Mark Arax spends four years travelling up and down the Golden State to explore its singular place in the world. This is California beyond the clichΓ(c) This is California as only a native son, deep in the dust, could draw it. Compelling, lyrical, and ominous, his new collection finds a different drama rising out of each confounding landscape. The Summer of the Death of Hilario Guzman has been praised as a stunningly intimate portrait of one immigrant family from Oaxaca, through harrowing border crossings and brutal raisin harvests. Down the road in the Home Front, right-wing Christians and Jews form a strange pact that tries to silence debate on the War on Terror, and a conflicted father loses not one but two sons in Iraq. The Last Okie in Lamont, the inspiration for the town in the Grapes of Wrath, has but one Okie left, who tells Arax his life story as he drives to a funeral to bury one more Dust Bowl migrant. The Highlands of Humboldt is a journey to marijuana growing capital of the U.S., where the old hippies are battling the new hippies over pollution pot and the local bank collects a mountain of cash each day, much of it redolent of cannabis. Arax pieces together the murder-suicide at the heart of a rotisserie chicken empire in The Legend of Zankou, a story included in the Best American Crime Reporting 2009. And, in the end, he provides a moving epilogue to the murder of his own father, a crime in the California heartland finally solved after thirty years. In the finest tradition of Joan Didion, Arax combines journalism, essay, and memoir to capture social upheaval as well as the sense of being rooted in a community. Piece by piece, the stories become a whole, a stunning panorama of California, and America, in a new century.
MindfulMingle
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
LuminaLore
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Eye Candy Kitten
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
Daffy Neo
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is remarkable. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
MindfulMingle
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Paris Boost
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
DollFaceKillah
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. πΆββοΈπ Staying entertained during leisurely walks β audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! πΆββοΈπ§
Wild Tesla
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius.
Wild Hair
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Whipsaw
Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Mule Lock
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Jetta Talent
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Lord Theus
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Swing Setter
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨ Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable.
Airport Hobo
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
Ella of Light
I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§ ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures.
Doll Champagne
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§
Hidden Tree
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks.
Flint Cast-Iron
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable.
Scare Stone
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. The app's stability is impressive β it runs smoothly without any glitches. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
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