Book description
Named a 'Best Book of the Summer' by LA Times, People, USA Today, Vanity Fair, The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon, Apple, Cup of Jo, Kirkus, Parade, & Today A riveting, nuanced memoir of unforgettable characters thrown together by chance and DNA, this is a story of nature, nurture, and coming to terms with one's true inheritance. What is a "normal family," and how do you go about making one? Chrysta Bilton's magnetic, larger-than-life mother, Debra, yearned to have a child, but as a single gay woman in 1980s California, she had few options. Until one day, while getting her hair done in a Beverly Hills salon, she met a man and instantly knew he was the one she'd been looking for. Beautiful, athletic, artistic, and from a well-to-do family, Jeffrey Harrison appeared to be Debra's ideal sperm donor. A verbal agreement, a couple of thousand in cash, and a few squirts of a turkey baster later, and Chrysta was conceived. Over the years, Jeffrey would make regular appearances at the family home, which grew to include Chrysta's baby sister. But how much did Debra really know about the man she'd chosen to father her daughters? And as a single mother torn between ferocious independence and abject dependence--on other women, alcohol, drugs, and the adrenaline of get-rich-quick schemes--what secrets of her own was she keeping? It wasn't until Chrysta was a young adult that she discovered just how much her parents had hidden from their daughters--and each other--including a shocking revelation with far-reaching consequences not only for Debra, Chrysta, and her sister, but for dozens and possibly hundreds of unsuspecting families across the country. After a lifetime of longing for a "normal family," can Chrysta face the reality of her own, in all its complexity? Bringing us into the fold of a deeply dysfunctional yet fiercely loving clan that is anything but "normal," this emotional roller coaster of a memoir will make you cry, laugh, and rethink the meaning of family.
The China Wall
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling.
Muzish
Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Betty Cricket
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive.
FlyGuardX
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Cuff Queen
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Steel Solstice
πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
SunnySnap
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer! This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Jetta Talent
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. ππ§ AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
Digital Goddess
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. π This app is a game-changer β its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. ππ§ Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Helmet Destroyer
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
ThoughtTrailblazer
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear.
Mafia Rapunzel
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§
Steel Solstice
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Mad Viral
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Phoenix Tetra
This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ
Pecan Oblivion
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience.
Doughboy, Esq
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Toy Peep
This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. 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.
DreamWeaver
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Mustard Centaur
Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. ππ ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend! I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
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