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.
Firecracker
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening.
Sir Squire
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly.
Baked ZD
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. 🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗 Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Boost
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
RiddleRanger
The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Sky
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. 🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫 📚 Embracing reading in the digital age – this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. 📱🎉 Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏 Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
German Coach
This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. 💡 This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! 📱👩🍳 ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else.
Murder Matter
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources.
Darkside Orbit
The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Audiobook journey simplified – this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
RiddleRover
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. I love the car mode. It’s so convenient for listening while driving.
King Panther
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. 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!
Reno Monarch
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! 📱🔊
Hex Panther
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. 📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
CloudFrenzy
I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Irish Dze
Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Manly Reno
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Spoiler Betty
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions.
Scarlet Mary
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Elder Pogue
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Skittle Mine
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
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