Book description
The instant New York Times Bestseller - Nominated for the 2019 National Book Award for Fiction "A lyrical work of self-discovery that's shockingly intimate and insistently universal...Not so much briefly gorgeous as permanently stunning." --Ron Charles, The Washington Post Ocean Vuong's debut novel is a shattering portrait of a family, a first love, and the redemptive power of storytelling On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read. Written when the speaker, Little Dog, is in his late twenties, the letter unearths a family's history that began before he was born -- a history whose epicenter is rooted in Vietnam -- and serves as a doorway into parts of his life his mother has never known, all of it leading to an unforgettable revelation. At once a witness to the fraught yet undeniable love between a single mother and her son, it is also a brutally honest exploration of race, class, and masculinity. Asking questions central to our American moment, immersed as we are in addiction, violence, and trauma, but undergirded by compassion and tenderness, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is as much about the power of telling one's own story as it is about the obliterating silence of not being heard. With stunning urgency and grace, Ocean Vuong writes of people caught between disparate worlds, and asks how we heal and rescue one another without forsaking who we are. The question of how to survive, and how to make of it a kind of joy, powers the most important debut novel of many years. Named a Best Book of the Year by: GQ, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Library Journal, TIME, Esquire, The Washington Post, Apple, Good Housekeeping, The New Yorker, The New York Public Library, Elle.com, The Guardian, The A.V. Club, NPR, Lithub, Entertainment Weekly, Vogue.com, The San Francisco Chronicle, Mother Jones, Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal Magazine and more!
Trash
User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Spunky Comet
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Peanut Butter Woman
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. 🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚 ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Shivers
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort.
Rusty Vortex
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. 🔥 Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine – this app is my secret weapon! ✨📖
Icy Avenger
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
ByteBard
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs.
Toxic-oxide
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery – a win-win! Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer.
Alias Stick
🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books.
Pinup Diva
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. 💼 Enhancing work-from-home productivity – audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. 💻📖 I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening. 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.
Goatee Shield
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Thunder Nut
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Pitfall Whiskers
Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Reed Lady
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. 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!
Ex0tic
This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
CloudFrenzy
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Coldy
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Cowboy Booter
💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖 Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Chasm Face
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. 🌌🎧 ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Digital Moonshine
The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
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