Book description
One of Literary Hub's Most Anticipated Books of 2025 One of The Millions' Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2025 A young woman’s seasonal job working a sugar beet harvest takes a surreal turn in this surprising and vivid debut. Elise and her boyfriend, Tom, set off for Minnesota, hoping the paycheck from the sugar beet harvest will cover the rent on their Brooklyn apartment. Amidst the grueling work and familiar anxieties about her finances, Elise starts noticing strange things: threatening phone calls, a mysterious rash, and snatches of an ominous voice coming from the beet pile. When Tom and other coworkers begin to vanish, Elise is left alone to confront the weight of her past, the horrors of her uncertain future, and the menacing but enticing siren song of the beets. Biting, eerie, and confidently told, Beta Vulgaris harnesses a distinct voice and audacious premise to undermine straightforward narratives of class, trauma, consumption, and redemption.Review"I’m trying to create a niche for myself as the preeminent weird-girl-book guy. To cement my legacy, I’m recommending Beta Vulgaris, a very weird book that I’m very excited for! When a young woman and her boyfriend start working a seasonal job at a sugar beet farm, she wants to make enough money to pay her rent for a few months. What she gets is a string of mysterious disappearances and a pile of beets that seems to be talking to her. Thank you Margie Sarsfield for your contribution to the “vegetable gothic” canon." -McKayla Coyle, Literary Hub "Named for the humble beet plant and meaning, in a rough translation from the Latin, “vulgar second,” Sarsfield’s surreal debut finds a seasonal harvest worker watching her boyfriend and other colleagues vanish amid “the menacing but enticing siren song of the beets.”" -John H. Maher, The Millions "Uncanny and electric and quietly harrowing. . . . Margie Sarsfield dazzles us and challenges us, delivering a novel so vivid and memorable, I’ll be thinking of beet pilers for years to come." -Danya Kukafka, author of Notes on an ExecutionAbout the AuthorMargie Sarsfield was the recipient of the 2019 Calvino Prize. She earned her MFA from Ohio State University. Her work has appeared in Salt Hill, CutBank, the Normal School, Seneca Review, Hippocampus, and elsewhere. She lives in Reno, Nevada.
Bad Beh8vior
I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Breadmaker
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. 🌟🎧
Grave Scuttlebutt
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
BuffFreak
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries.
Kimono Goddess
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery – a win-win! ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Tin Mutt
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚 Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is remarkable. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Amphibi-Dangerous
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. 🎙️ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! 🚶♀️📖 ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly.
Legacy
ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Spooky Electric
This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! 📱🎧 Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Peanut Butter Woman
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable. Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Undergrad
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app.
Cougar Fuzz
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. 💼 Juggling tasks while exploring narratives – this app is my multitasking hero! 💻📖 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files!
Highway
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! I'm grateful for this app – it's made reading a part of my everyday life. ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫 ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Celtic Charger
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. 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!
Purity Catnip
This app has revolutionized my daily routine – I can't imagine life without it. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way.
Star Scratch
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks.
Spellbinder
🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Pepper
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Willow Dragon
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. 📖📱 Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Sleepwalker
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator.
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