Book description
The New York Times bestselling author of The Most Fun We Ever Had ("wonderfully immersive...deliciously absorbing"--NPR) returns with another brilliantly observed family drama in which the enduring, hard-won affection of a long marriage faces imminent derailment from events both past and present. "Witty and insightful...a powerful exploration of marriage, motherhood, and self."-Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry Same As It Ever Was showcases the consummate style, signature wit, and profound emotional intelligence that made The Most Fun We Ever Had one of the most beloved novels of the past decade. Featuring a memorably messy family and the multifaceted marriage at its heart, Lombardo's debut was dubbed "the literary love child of Jonathan Franzen and Anne Tyler" (The Guardian) and hailed as "ambitious and brilliantly written" (Washington Post). In this remarkable follow-up--another elegant and tumultuous story in the tradition of Elizabeth Strout, Ann Patchett, and Celeste Ng--Lombardo introduces us to an unforgettable cast of characters, this time by way of her singularly complicated protagonist. Julia Ames, after a youth marked by upheaval and emotional turbulence, has found herself on the placid plateau of mid-life. But Julia has never navigated the world with the equanimity of her current privileged class. Having nearly derailed herself several times, making desperate bids for the kind of connection that always felt inaccessible to her, she finally feels, at age fifty seven, that she has a firm handle on things. She's unprepared, though, for what comes next: a surprise announcement from her straight-arrow son, an impending separation from her spikey teenaged daughter, and a seductive resurgence of the past, all of which threaten to draw her back into the patterns that had previously kept her on a razor's edge. Same As It Ever Was traverses the rocky terrain of real life, --exploring new avenues of maternal ambivalence, intergenerational friendship, and the happenstantial cause-and-effect that governs us all. Delving even deeper into the nature of relationships--how they grow, change, and sometimes end--Lombardo proves herself a true and definitive cartographer of the human heart and asserts herself among the finest novelists of her generation.
About the Author
CLAIRE LOMBARDO is the author of The Most Fun We Ever Had, which has been optioned for television by Reese Witherspoon. She lives in Iowa City, where she has taught at the Iowa Writers' Workshop and Grinnell College and works part-time as a bookseller at Prairie Lights Books. www.clairelombardo.com
Blister
The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureโitโs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Roller Turtle
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Chasm Face
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. ๐ช Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls โ I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. ๐ผ๐
Knight Light
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Gunhawk
Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Good William
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations โ they're spot on. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Blackfire
Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iโll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Good William
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Black Hole Necromancer
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VileHero
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ๐๐ฑ ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me.
Fl00d
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality โ a journey into captivating worlds. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBookโs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iโll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
ForumFusion
I'm so grateful for this app โ it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
Tornado Maker
Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. ๐ฑ๐ง The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Shady Prairie
๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. The app is so reliable. Iโve never had any issues with it.
Cinder Coffee
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ๐๐ Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. 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.
WanderWord
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure โ I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ๐๏ธ๐ Simplifying audiobook management โ this app's functionality is a true asset.
Short Firecracker
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment.
Lucky Aurora
This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. ๐ Adding excitement to everyday tasks โ this app is my partner in productivity! ๐๐ The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Trouble Mittens
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful โ I'm hooked! Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
WittyWordsmith
This app has made multitasking a breeze โ I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. ๐ฑ๐ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
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