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.
Tweety Bun Bun
Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ππ± Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. 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!
Ex0tic
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π π± My secret to staying well-read β this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! ππ±
NexusNinja
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Miss Murder
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. ποΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. πΆπ
CloudFrenzy
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ 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
Shamrock
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
LifeRobber
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze β a true travel essential. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable.
Winter Bite
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience.
Marbles
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move β it's like having a tutor by my side. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom!
Alley Cat
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey.
Dewdrop Doll
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
ThreadTraveler
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks β this app has converted me! Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
MythMaker
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Universe Bullet
π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§ ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
SprkR
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Skull Crusher
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
PepperBurst
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Tweety
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯ Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction.
Lady Katniss
Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
Journeyman
The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
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