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 clichÃ(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.
Chapstick
ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! ListenBook’s design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use.
Boost Princess
No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy.
K-Tin Man
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education.
Bad Badminton
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱 Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
LunaStar
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Lady Q
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. 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.
21st Street
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Shady Prairie
🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫 ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy.
Find It Girl
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Pepper Prada
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
Skirble
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
HighBomber
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Bowie
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Most Wanted
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Terror Master
The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Count Eagle
The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable! An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
True Sweetness
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is a triumph. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
Z-Boy
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is a true gift. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. 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!
GoldTouch
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Heavenly Connection
This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. 🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 Audiobooks made simple – this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
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