Book description
An Instant New York Times Bestseller "This voice-driven, relatable, heartfelt and emotional story will make any parent tear up."--Good Morning America, "15 Delightful Books Perfect for Spring Reading"Operating Instructions meets Glennon Doyle in this new book by famed NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly that is destined to become a classic--about the year before her son goes to college--and the joys, losses and surprises that happen along the way. The time for do-overs is over. Ever since she became a parent, Mary Louise Kelly has said "next year." Next year will be the year she makes it to her son James's soccer games (which are on weekdays at 4 p.m., right when she is on the air on NPR's All Things Considered, talking to millions of listeners). Drive carpool for her son Alexander? Not if she wants to do that story about Ukraine and interview the secretary of state. Like millions of parents who wrestle with raising children while pursuing a career, she has never been cavalier about these decisions. The bargain she has always made with herself is this: this time I'll get on the plane, and next year I'll find a way to be there for the mom stuff. Well, James and Alexander are now seventeen and fifteen, and a realization has overtaken Mary Louise: her older son will be leaving soon for college. There used to be years to make good on her promises; now, there are months, weeks, minutes. And with the devastating death of her beloved father, Mary Louise is facing act three of her life head-on. Mary Louise is coming to grips with the reality every parent faces. Childhood has a definite expiration date. You have only so many years with your kids before they leave your house to build their own lives. It's what every parent is supposed to want, what they raise their children to do. But it is bittersweet. Mary Louise is also dealing with the realities of having aging parents. This pivotal time brings with it the enormous questions of what you did right and what you did wrong. This chronicle of her eldest child's final year at home, of losing her father, as well as other curve balls thrown at her, is not a definitive answer―not for herself and certainly not for any other parent. But her questions, her issues, will resonate with every parent. And, yes, especially with mothers, who are judged more harshly by society and, more important, judge themselves more harshly. What would she do if she had to decide all over again? Mary Louise's thoughts as she faces the coming year will speak to anyone who has ever cared about a child or a parent. It. Goes. So. Fast. is honest, funny, poignant, revelatory, and immensely relatable.
MindfulMingle
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience.
Universe Bullet
🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Tea Kettle
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Bombay Shivers
🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. 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!
Winter Bite
I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
Lucky Aurora
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
Gentle Avenger
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Toxic-oxide
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life – it's a unique experience. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise.
Nibbler
The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. 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!
General Broomdog
Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. 📖📱 Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Cinder Coffee
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a game-changer.
Murder Matter
ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. 🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Bourbon Mirage
This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
White Snare
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. 🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Chicago Blackout
Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
Mad Irishman
This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
Genghis Glyph
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Lil Rebel Ma
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
Black Firefly
With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. 💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive.
RZRWRE
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. 🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 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.
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