Book description
A former Obama speechwriter moves to the Jersey Shore and learns to surf with the help of his brother-in-law: a tattooed, truck-driving Joe Rogan superfan. David, the Yale-educated writer with a fear of sharks, and Matt, the daredevil electrician with a shed full of surfboards, had never been close. But as America’s crises piled up and David spiraled into existential dread, he noticed that his brother-in-law was thriving. He began to suspect Matt’s favorite hobby had something to do with it. David started taking surf lessons. For months, he wiped out on waves the height of daffodils. Yet, after realizing that surfing could change him both in and out of the water, he set an audacious goal: riding a big wave in Hawaii. He searched for an expert he could trust to guide and protect him—and when he couldn’t find one, he asked Matt. Together, they set out on a journey that spanned coasts, and even continents, before taking them to Oahu’s famously dangerous North Shore. It’s Only Drowning is a laugh-out-loud love letter to surfing—and so much more. It’s an ode to embarking on adventures at any age. It’s a blueprint for becoming braver at a time when it takes courage just to read the news. Most of all, it’s the story of an unlikely friendship, one that crosses the fault lines of education, ideology, and culture tearing so many of us apart.
About the Author
David Litt is the New York Times bestselling author of Thanks, Obama; Democracy in One Book or Less; and It's Only Drowning. A former senior speechwriter for Barack Obama, described as "the comic muse for the president" for his work on White House Correspondents' Dinner monologues, he has also written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Cosmopolitan, and more. Along with writing speeches and jokes for political figures, athletes, Fortune 500 CEOs, and philanthropists, David was the head writer/producer at Funny Or Die, DC, and has written and sold comedy pilots for Comedy Central, ABC, and NBC. He and his wife divide their time between Washington, DC, and Asbury Park, New Jersey. Find out more at DavidLittBooks.com.
Lord Theus
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ShadowFax
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Taffy Duchess
CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. 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.
Freeze Queen
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Cinder Coffee
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Psycho Thinker
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Sun Lemon
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Sleek Zelda
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Mother Night
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Airport Hobo
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Heaven Sent
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery – a win-win! I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Senior Smurf
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Lady Pomegranate
I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
SkyGod
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖 Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Troublemasher
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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