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.
Devil Bread
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient. Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π
Kimono Goddess
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. 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!
SereneScribe
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
ManMaker
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Rocky Highway
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Street Jolly
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Apex
ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
East Army
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Most Wanted
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a winner. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Mad Robin
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
RiddleRover
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch.
Skull Crusher
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Diamond Gamer
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories.
Barbwire
I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§ ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
DreamDiver
This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³
Apple Nola
ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ Audiobooks made delightful β this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Miss Mustard
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's an essential part of my day. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Jungle King
Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a winner. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Cinder Coffee
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts.
Mantis Queen
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
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