Book description
REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK - New York Times bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez delivers a mesmerizing novel about a first-generation Ivy League student who uncovers the genius work of a female artist decades after her suspicious death A Most Anticipated Book of 2024: TIME, The Washington Post, Refinery 29, Barnes & Noble, Marie Clare, Real Simple, Entertainment Weekly, LA Daily News, LitHub, The Millions, TODAY.com, HipLatina, Book Riot, Kirkus, and more!"Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a cry for justice. Writing with urgency and rage, Gonzalez speaks up for those who have been othered and deemed unworthy, robbed of their legacy." ―The Washington Post "Anita De Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez asks some big questions, like who in art or history is remembered, who is left behind or erased and WHY. I have goosebumps just talking about this story." ―Reese Witherspoon 1985. Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world, is found dead in New York City; her tragic death is the talk of the town. Until it isn't. By 1998 Anita's name has been all but forgotten--certainly by the time Raquel, a third-year art history student is preparing her final thesis. On College Hill, surrounded by privileged students whose futures are already paved out for them, Raquel feels like an outsider. Students of color, like her, are the minority there, and the pressure to work twice as hard for the same opportunities is no secret. But when Raquel becomes romantically involved with a well-connected older art student, she finds herself unexpectedly rising up the social ranks. As she attempts to straddle both worlds, she stumbles upon Anita's story, raising questions about the dynamics of her own relationship, which eerily mirrors that of the forgotten artist. Moving back and forth through time and told from the perspectives of both women, Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a propulsive, witty examination of power, love, and art, daring to ask who gets to be remembered and who is left behind in the rarefied world of the elite.
About the Author
Xochitl Gonzalez is the New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming. Named a Best Book of 2022 by The New York Times, TIME, Kirkus, Washington Post, and NPR, Olga Dies Dreaming was the winner of the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize in Fiction and the New York City Book Award. Gonzalez is a 2021 MFA graduate from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Her nonfiction work has been published in Elle Decor, Allure, Vogue, Real Simple, and The Cut. She is a staff writer for The Atlantic, where her work has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. A native Brooklynite and proud public school graduate, Gonzalez holds a BA from Brown University and lives in her hometown of Brooklyn with her dog, Hectah Lavoe.
Stick Shift
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Snow Hound
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket.
Houston Rocket
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Sw33per
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DreamWeaver
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Eye Candy Kitten
I'm hooked on this app – it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Divine Quasar
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Night Magnet
I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
CZR
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver – no more losing my place in the story! ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Black Firefly
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HedgeH0g2
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Copilot
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Snapdragon
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Mr. Spy
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SubWoof330
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! 🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 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!
RZRWRE
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket.
Achilles Mountain
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
Spooky Electric
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
RiddleRover
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. Finally, an app that values usability – navigating and listening is a breeze! ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine.
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