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.
Sky Trinity
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Chasm Face
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π
Sassy Muffin
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon.
Swedish Pixie
I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go β it's like carrying a library in my pocket. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The app is worth every penny. Itβs packed with features and works flawlessly.
Shay
π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
ForumFlare
This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Fresh Peper
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Potato Sub
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β audiobooks make my runs more exciting! πββοΈπ§ πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel.
Mad Robin
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Gentle Avenger
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnβt stop listening.
Red Heroine
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful.
Mt. Indiana
πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β audiobooks make my runs more exciting! πββοΈπ§ User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Gold Bentley
Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a standout. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries.
Nueva Nova
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Wolf Tribune
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Bruh
Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
Fadey
I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
The Final Judgement
This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Star Killer
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning.
HolyCombo
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. π± An entire library at my fingertips β this app is a book lover's dream come true! ππ Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent 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