Book description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER - NAMED ONE OF TIME'S TEN BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE DECADE "Inspiring . . . extraordinary . . . [Katherine Boo] shows us how people in the most desperate circumstances can find the resilience to hang on to their humanity. Just as important, she makes us care."--People "A tour de force of social justice reportage and a literary masterpiece."--Judges, PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times - The Washington Post - O: The Oprah Magazine - USA Today - New York - The Miami Herald - San Francisco Chronicle - Newsday In this breathtaking book by Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Boo, a bewildering age of global change and inequality is made human through the dramatic story of families striving toward a better life in Annawadi, a makeshift settlement in the shadow of luxury hotels near the Mumbai airport. As India starts to prosper, the residents of Annawadi are electric with hope. Abdul, an enterprising teenager, sees "a fortune beyond counting" in the recyclable garbage that richer people throw away. Meanwhile Asha, a woman of formidable ambition, has identified a shadier route to the middle class. With a little luck, her beautiful daughter, Annawadi's "most-everything girl," might become its first female college graduate. And even the poorest children, like the young thief Kalu, feel themselves inching closer to their dreams. But then Abdul is falsely accused in a shocking tragedy; terror and global recession rock the city; and suppressed tensions over religion, caste, sex, power, and economic envy turn brutal. With intelligence, humor, and deep insight into what connects people to one another in an era of tumultuous change, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, based on years of uncompromising reporting, carries the reader headlong into one of the twenty-first century's hidden worlds--and into the hearts of families impossible to forget. WINNER OF: The PEN Nonfiction Award - The Los Angeles Times Book Prize - The American Academy of Arts and Letters Award - The New York Public Library's Helen Bernstein Book Award NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New Yorker - People - Entertainment Weekly - The Wall Street Journal - The Boston Globe - The Economist - Financial Times - Foreign Policy - The Seattle Times - The Nation - St. Louis Post-Dispatch - The Denver Post - Minneapolis Star Tribune - The Week - Kansas City Star - Slate - Publishers Weekly
Homerun Diva
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ
Drop Stone
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional.
Black Fantastic
I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Dallas Foxface
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Pogue
No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
StorySculptor
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking.
Ember Rope
ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length β I'm in! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
RoarSweetie
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use.
Zero Charisma
πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience.
Clover Rabbit
ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
JesterZilla
This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
Dez
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. 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 Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length β I'm in! I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless.
FearLeSS
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Abiss
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Jelly Camber
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient. 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! Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Darkside Isis
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
NemesisX
The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
Hang 11
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
WanderWord
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Old Man Winter
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments β I'm forever grateful. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
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