Book description
One of the Most Anticipated Books of the Year--a masterful and engrossing novel about a single mother's collapse and the fate of her family after she enters a California state hospital in the 1970s. "A sweeping family epic that took me from one American coast to another...Simpson is so attuned to the family heart." --Weike Wang, author of Joan Is Okay When Diane Aziz drives her oldest son, Walter, from Los Angeles to college at UC Berkeley, it will be her last parental act before falling into a deep depression. A single mother who maintains a wishful belief that her children can attain all the things she hasn't, she's worked hard to secure their future in caste-driven 1980s Los Angeles, gaining them illegal entry to an affluent public school. When she enters a state hospital, her closest friend tries to keep the children safe and their mother's dreams for them alive. At Berkeley, Walter discovers a passion for architecture just as he realizes his life as a student may need to end for lack of funds. Back home in LA, his sister, Lina, who works in an ice-cream parlor while her wealthy classmates are preparing for Ivy league schools, wages a high stakes gamble to go there with them. And Donny, the little brother everybody loves, begins to hide in plain sight, coding, gaming, and drifting towards a life on the beach, where he falls into an escalating relationship with drugs. Moving from Berkeley and Los Angeles to New York and back again, this is a story about one family trying to navigate the crisis of their lives, a crisis many know first-hand in their own families or in those of their neighbors. A resonant novel about family and duty and the attendant struggles that come when a parent falls ill, Commitment honors the spirit of fragile, imperfect mothers and the under-chronicled significance of friends, in determining the lives of our children left on their own. With Commitment, Mona Simpson, one of the foremost chroniclers of the American family in our time, has written her most important and unforgettable novel.
Miss Fix It
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. 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!
Nickname Master
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
The Final Judgement
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
Alley Frog
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends.
Sass Burst
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer. 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Glyph
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Midnight Rider
π©βπ³ Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories β this app adds flavor to my meals! π³π§ Audiobook excellence made simple β this app's functionality is a true asset. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
Boo
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Bridge Whip
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. I love the auto-rewind feature. Itβs great for when I zone out.
Easy Street
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature!
Juno Cream
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze.
High Deck
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy.
Hyper
Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§ The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Killah Goose
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. 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! π±π§ Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Stallion Patton
π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries.
Kazami of Truth
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks.
Pompeii Unicorn
As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Stud Buster
Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ
Feral Filly
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
InsightInkwell
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible.
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