Book description
Following a young woman over the course of one outrageous and insufferable downtown dinner party at the home of her estranged best friends--an artist and curator couple, whom she now realizes stand for everything she detests--Happiness and Love is a piercing debut novel about brazen materialism, self-obsession, and the empty careerism of so-called cultural elites. Years after escaping New York and the center of its artistic world--a group of self-important, depraved, and unscrupulous artists, curators, and hangers-on--our narrator is back in town. With no plans to see anyone she once knew, she's wandering around the Lower East Side, thinking about the recent death of her former best friend, Rebecca, when she runs into Eugene, one half of the artist-curator couple at the heart of her old social set. Despite her better judgement, she accepts his invitation to a dinner party. And though the party is held only hours after Rebecca's funeral, it not a memorial of Rebecca but a dinner held in honor of a young, newly famous actress whose lateness delays the party by hours. As the guests sip their natural wine and await the actress's arrival, the narrator, from her perch on the corner seat of a white sofa, silently, systematically, and mercilessly eviscerates them--their manners, their relationships, their delusions and failures, and the complete moral poverty that brings them here, to Nicole and Eugene's loft on the Bowery. When the guest of honor finally does arrive, she sets in motion a disastrous end to the evening, laying bare the depravity and decadence of the hosts' empty little lives--a hollowness that the narrator herself knows all too well.
About the Author
Zoe Dubno is a writer from New York. She attended Oberlin College and has an MFA from Rutgers University, Newark. Her fiction has appeared in Granta and Muumuu House and NY Tyrant, her nonfiction in The New York Times Magazine, The New York Review of Books, The Guardian, The Nation, Vogue, BOMB, and elsewhere. She lives in New York and London. Happiness and Love is her first novel.
Mindless Bobcat
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§ Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Day Hawk
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
GoldTouch
I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length β I'm in! ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Contrary Mary
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls.
Little General
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Audiobook enjoyment redefined β this app's design focuses on the essentials.
Ember Rope
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Impulse
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Twisty Dew
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 supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Bitmap
ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Mr. Gadget
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time.
SneakerKid
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Emerald Vine
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. π This app is a game-changer β its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. ππ§ Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Airport Hobo
ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls β it's a joy to navigate. πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§ The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips.
Fast Draw
I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Mercury Reborn
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯
Silver Cup
AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook! The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Junkyard Dog
This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go β it's like carrying a library in my pocket. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
VisionVoyager
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. 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! Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Moon Laser
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. 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.
Deano
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didnβt dislike it, but I also didnβt feel strongly about it one way or another.
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