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 answerโnot 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.
Father Abbot
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RiddleRanger
Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. I love the statistics feature. Itโs fun to see how much Iโve listened.
Houston
๐ผ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background โ love it! ๐ป๐ง Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Shadow Gal
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze.
Murder Cherry
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! ListenBookโs interface is clean and intuitive. Itโs a joy to use. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Jigsaw
The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. One of the best audiobooks Iโve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorโs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Wolf Tribune
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Howitzer Rise
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. ๐ถ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! ๐ถ๐ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
Scooby Did
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. ๐ Elevating everyday moments โ this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. ๐โจ ๐ฅ Simplifying my reading routine โ the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. ๐๐ Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Scarlet Mary
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls โ it's a joy to navigate. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Glyph
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ๐๐ง ListenBookโs design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use.
RealmRanger
With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. An audiobook Iโll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorโs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Doz
I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Widow Curio
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Spunky Chick
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. โญ๏ธ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency โ I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. ๐ถ๐ The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iโm in the story.
Bones
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
NexusNomad
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBookโs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Firedog
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use โ it's a reader's dream come true. ๐๐ This app has rekindled my love for books โ I can't stop listening! ๐๐ง CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Soda Delirium
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app โ it's like being in the story. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations โ they're spot on. ๐ง Navigating through narratives has never been simpler โ this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ๐๐ซ ๐ This app's functionality is a masterpiece โ it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. ๐๐จ The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion.
ReiGnZ
๐ Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ๐๐ Effortless audiobook exploration โ this app's design is a reader's dream. The app is so intuitive. I didnโt even need to read the instructions.
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