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.
Digital Equinox
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Girl Brownie
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ
Pexxious
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Mule Lock
This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Cougar Fuzz
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. πΆββοΈπ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure β I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ποΈπ
Lava Nibbler
Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Wrangler Jim
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ
SkyGod
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Papa Smurf
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
Casanova
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer.
101
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
Scrapper
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance!
Gingersnap Woman
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Drift
π₯ Simplifying my reading routine β the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. ππ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze.
Blink
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Alley Frog
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
New York Winder
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
Knock Out Star
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§
SpellTansy
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Sexy
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§
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