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.
Swing Setter
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§
NemesisX
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook. 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!
Buckshot
Audiobook enjoyment redefined β this app's design focuses on the essentials. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Bowler
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content β it's a real game-changer. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now!
Divine Quasar
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption.
Petite Flurry
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Metal Star
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Swing Setter
π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ π Rekindling my love for reading β this app makes each day a new adventure! ππ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable.
Fist Wizard
Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a perfect match. Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer.
Killer Curio
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Crazy Rox
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Friday Ferrari
πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Prof. Screw
Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Mad Robin
I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place! ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Married Man
π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Twisty Freesia
Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Mother Night
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments β I'm forever grateful. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories.
Athena Star
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Dora the Destroyer
This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Mr. Thanksgiving
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
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