Book description
In a world increasingly marked by division and discord, beloved Jesuit priest Gregory Boyle offers a transformative vision of community and compassion—a perfect message for readers of Anne Lamott, Mary Oliver, and Richard Rohr.Over the past thirty years, Gregory Boyle has transformed tens of thousands of lives through his work as the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang-intervention program in the world. The program runs on two unwavering principles: 1) We are all inherently good (no exceptions), and 2) we belong to each other (no exceptions). Boyle believes that these two ideas allow all of us to cultivate a new way of seeing the world. Rather than the tribalism that excludes and punishes, this new narrative proposes a village that cherishes. Pooka, a former gang member, puts it plainly: “Here, love is our lens. It is how we see things.” In Cherished Belonging, Boyle calls back to Christianity’s origins as a spiritual movement of equality, emancipation, and peace. Early Christianity was a way of life—not a set of beliefs. Boyle’s vision of community is a space for people to join together and heal one another in a new collective living, a world dedicated to kindness as a constant and radical act of defiance. As one homie, Marcus, told a classroom filled with inner-city teenagers, “If love was a place, it would be Homeboy.” Cherished Belonging invites us to nurture the connections that are all around us and live with kindness. Boyle believes that “the answer to every question is, indeed, compassion.” Through colorful and profound stories brimming with wisdom, humor, and inspiration, we understand that love is the light inside everything.
About the Author
Gregory Boyle is an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in the world. In 2024, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States's highest civilian honor. He has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. He received the University of Notre Dame's 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics. He is the acclaimed author of Tattoos on the Heart, Barking to the Choir, and The Whole Language. Cherished Belonging is his fourth book, and he will be donating all net proceeds to Homeboy Industries. Visit the author at HomeboyIndustries.org.
Sneaky Lady
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights – I'm never without a good story. I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊
Gold Bentley
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. 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!
TrixiePhany
I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
Jack Cassidy
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion.
Hoover Spark
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. ⭐️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. 🎶📖 The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever.
PP Dubs
ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets!
Roadspike
ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. 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.
Zero Charisma
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch.
RiddleRover
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱 ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session.
Abyss Tamer
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. 💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly.
Flyswat Briggs
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. 🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
StarZen
💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
Flakes
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature!
Silver Agent
🎶📚 My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. 🎧🎶 🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used.
Saturn Extreme
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Mercury Reborn
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Chlorine
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality.
Grave Digger
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
Sherm
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
GoldTouch
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
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