Book description
A PEOPLE magazine pick, Best Books Fall 2023: "A breathtaking memoir about surviving a horrifying childhood; Means...transforms memories...into a work of art." Starred review from Kirkus: "This book is an outstanding debut...A harrowing and soulful memoir to be read, savored, and reread." "Brittany Means has pieced together the shards of a devastating childhood in this powerful memoir. It's gut-wrenching but at the same time triumphant, harrowing yet exquisitely told. Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways is a story of survival that left me choked up and cheering."-Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle "The book's lasting impact might be what it demands of the memoir genre. Brittany Means has, at once, created the most readable and the most psychologically rigorous book I've read in decades. I needed the reminder that art can do this." -Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy "I can't write a story about myself as the sad, quiet child of two drug addicts. That's not how it was, even when it was. To me, sleeping in the car was normal. Better, it was comfy and fun. I loved my bed made of clothes inside a trash bag that I sank into slowly like Uncle Fester from the Addams Family movie. . . . I loved the motels and their swimming pools and trashy daytime TV channels. . . . Nobody could tell us what to do." Brittany Means's childhood was a blur of highways and traumas that collapsed any effort to track time. Riding shotgun as her mother struggled to escape abusive relationships, Brittany didn't care where they were going--to a roadside midwestern motel, a shelter, or The Barn in Indiana, the cluttered mansion her Pentecostal grandparents called home--as long as they were together. But every so often, her mom would surprise her--and leave. As Brittany grew older and questioned her own complicated relationships and the poverty, abuse, and instability that enveloped her, she began to recognize that hell wasn't only the place she read about in the Bible; it was the cycle of violence that entrapped her family. Through footholds such as horror movies, neuropsychology, and strong bonds, Brittany makes sense of this cycle and finds a way to leave it. While untangling the web of her most painful memories, Brittany crafts a tale of self-preservation, resilience, and hope with a unique narrative style--a sparkling example of the human ability to withstand the most horrific experiences and still thrive.
About the Author
Brittany Means is a writer and editor living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A graduate of Iowa's MFA Nonfiction Writing Program, Means has received several awards for her work, including the Magdalena Award and the Grace Paley Fellowship. Her other talents include doing horror movie screams and baking ugly but delicious cakes.
Master Jetson
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
Roller Turtle
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app.
Runway Darling
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel.
Po1son
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 🎙️ The app's functionality is a true work of art – it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. 📚🎨 The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Heaven Sent
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Red Heroine
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Saturn Extreme
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. Effortlessly immersing in stories – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family.
Corny
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. This app's library is a treasure trove – I'm always discovering new favorites. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts.
FLAK Angel
With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
TeederSmartie
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy.
Miss Murder
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
ByteBard
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. 📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧
Twin Blaze
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful.
Bom Crossed
The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Shivers
📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source.
3P-own
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Neophyte Believer
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Star Scratch
Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
High Deck
Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Manly Reno
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
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