Listen to Bird of Paradise: How I Became Latina by Raquel Cepeda
Enjoy this audiobook with MP3 Audiobook Player - the ultimate iOS audiobook experience
In 2009, Raquel Cepeda embarked on an exploration of her genealogy using ancestral DNA testing to uncover the truth about her family and the tapestry of races and ethnicities that came together in an ambiguous mix in her features, resulting in “a beautiful story of reconciliation and redemption” (Huffington Post) with her identity and what it means to be Latina.Digging through memories long buried, Cepeda journeyed not only into her ancestry but also into her own history. Born in Harlem to Dominican parents, she was sent to live with her maternal grandparents in the Paraíso (Paradise) district in Santo Domingo while still a baby. It proved to be an idyllic reprieve in her otherwise fraught childhood. Paraíso came to mean family, home, belonging. When Cepeda returned to the US, she discovered her family constellation had changed. Her mother had a new, abusive boyfriend, who relocated the family to San Francisco. When that relationship fell apart, Cepeda found herself back in New York City with her father and European stepmother: attending tennis lessons and Catholic schools; fighting vicious battles with her father, who discouraged her from expressing the Dominican part of her hyphenated identity; and immersed in the ’80s hip-hop culture of uptown Manhattan. It was in these streets, through the prism of hip-hop and the sometimes loving embrace of her community, that Cepeda constructed her own identity. Years later, when Cepeda had become a successful journalist and documentary filmmaker, the strands of her DNA would take her further, across the globe and into history. Who were her ancestors? How did they—and she—become Latina? Her journey, as the most unforgettable ones often do, would lead her to places she hadn’t expected to go. With a vibrant lyrical prose and fierce honesty, Cepeda parses concepts of race, identity, and ancestral DNA among Latinos by using her own Dominican-American story as one example, and in the process arrives at some sort of peace with her father.
User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! 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.
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. 🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
Plays MP3, MP4, OPUS, OGG, FLAC, AWB, M4B, M4A, WMA, AAC formats
Optimized for iPhone, iPad, and iPod with seamless integration
Adjust playback speed from 0.5x to 3.0x for your listening preference
Import audiobooks via iTunes, cloud services, or direct downloads
Get your favorite audiobooks in supported formats from various sources
Import audiobooks to MP3 Audiobook Player using multiple methods
Control playback from your device, headphones, Apple Watch, or CarPlay
Join thousands of users who enjoy audiobooks with MP3 Audiobook Player daily
Download Now