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.
Black Mustard
π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook!
Apex
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
The Flying Mouse
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
CyberScribe
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. Audiobooks have never been this immersive β this app transports me to different worlds. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Saber-RED
πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
2nd Hand Joe
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π
Shay
π± An entire library at my fingertips β this app is a book lover's dream come true! ππ Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. 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.
MuseMaster
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail.
DARK HQ
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Phoenix Sparrow
With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Frenzy
I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! 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! 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. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Winter Underdog
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! I'm addicted to this app β it's like having a library in my pocket. ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Pocket Mazda
ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Cumulo
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. 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!
Night Train
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Day Hawk
π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³ Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable.
ZenZone
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
The Shield Toronto
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a winner.
Alley Cat
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Jelly Camber
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. π₯ Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger β this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. π±π Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
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