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.
Tomcat
From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊 Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Clover Dragon
Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook! The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Twin Blaze
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
Sugar Hiccup
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. 👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Despair
User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Pinup Diva
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Tin Mutt
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by! Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness.
Plenty Orange
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. 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!
Moonflower
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. 📚 Embracing reading in the digital age – this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. 📱🎉 Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Achilles Mountain
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Steel Cut Toe
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
DragonBlood
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱 ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Poppy Coffee
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧 This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Alpha
🏝️🎧 Packing for vacation just got better – this app is my getaway entertainment! 🌴📖 This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Kamikaze Granny
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true.
InsightfulInk
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch.
Mr. Spy
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Fuzzy Claws
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Lady Pomegranate
With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. 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!
VisionVortex
No need to convert files anymore – ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature!
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