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
RZRWRE
Audiobook enjoyment redefined β this app's design focuses on the essentials. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Moxie
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Natural Gold
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Metal Lady
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MicroStar
ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
JigKraken
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
ByteBard
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. Audiobook excellence made simple β this app's functionality is a true asset.
Stud muffin
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X-Dew
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QuantumQuipper
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks β this app has converted me! This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Dr. WMD
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Hightower
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Spit Turanga
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Vermilion
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Cool Iris
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Dez Bonbon
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Nueva Nova
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ±
Darkside Orbit
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
AxelRoad
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π
Firefly
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
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