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.
Twinkle
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use.
Lewd Dice
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. π Making every moment count β this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! ππ«
Referee
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
Pluto
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Twisty Freesia
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature.
Nacho
ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Twine X
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers.
Moon Orchid
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
DreamDiver
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Unleashed
π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ Efficient audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is a revelation. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
WonderWords
ListenBook's commitment to user experience shines through its thoughtful design and seamless functionality. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Digital Goddess
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
Grotas
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Barbwire
ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Potato Sub
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives.
DreamDiver
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Cross Thread
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Betty Cricket
I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. ππ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed β bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! π΄π§ π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. Iβm 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 Iβve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Star Killer
The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Toy Peep
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. 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!
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