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.
💃 Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores – a dance of productivity! 🎶📖 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠 The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. 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!
🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized. 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!
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design.
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine.
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
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