Book description
An unflinching memoir and "invaluable resource" (Kirkus) about navigating social mobility as a first gen Latina--offering both a riveting personal story and an examination of the unacknowledged emotional tolls of being a trailblazer. Alejandra Campoverdi has been a child on welfare, a White House aide to President Obama, a Harvard graduate, a gang member's girlfriend, and a candidate for U.S. Congress. She's ridden on Air Force One and in G-rides. She's been featured in Maxim magazine and had a double mastectomy. Living a life of contradictory extremes often comes with the territory when you're a "First and Only." It also comes at a price. With candor and heart, Alejandra retraces her trajectory as a Mexican American woman raised by an immigrant single mother in Los Angeles. Foregoing the tidy bullet points of her resume and instead shining a light on the spaces between them, what emerges is a powerful testimony that shatters the one-dimensional glossy narrative we are often sold of what it takes to achieve the American Dream. In this timely and revealing reflection, Alejandra draws from her own experiences to name and frame the challenges First and Onlys often face, illuminating a road to truth, healing, and change in the process. Part memoir, part manifesto, FIRST GEN is a story of generational inheritance, aspiration, and the true meaning of belonging--a gripping journey to "reclaim the parts of ourselves we sacrificed in order to survive." *A NATIONAL BESTSELLER* Winner of the Martin Cruz Smith Award (CALIBA) 2024 Council for Opportunity in Education National Book Club Selection Longlisted for the Outstanding Works of Literature (OWL) Award for First Year Experience
About the Author
Alejandra Campoverdi is a nationally recognized women's health advocate, founder, producer, and former White House aide to President Obama. She produced and appeared in the celebrated PBS documentary Inheritance, founded the Latinos & BRCA awareness initiative in partnership with Penn Medicine's Basser Center, and served as the first White House deputy director of Hispanic media. Alejandra is currently on the boards of Harvard's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy, the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino, and the California Community Foundation. She holds a master in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California.
Slacker Cat
Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. π±π Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
ThoughtTrail
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
Wildcat Talent
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Athena Star
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
Grave Scuttlebutt
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment.
Darkside Hooker
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
Devil Chick
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Murmur
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. πΌ Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! π»π With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Grave Digger
I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Lady Peach
ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
InsightfulInk
ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Toolmaker
Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ππ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Drugstore Cowboy
ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. 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.
Liquid Science
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph.
ManBreaker
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
NexusNavigator
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. π±π Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams!
Cross Thread
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
Nutmeg
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Gamer Bean
π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive.
Kawaii Red
I've become addicted to this app β in the best possible way! I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
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