Book description
Could a picturesque white house with a picket fence save the world? What if it was filled with children drawn together from around the globe? And what if, within the yard, the lines of kin and skin, of family and race, were deliberately knotted and twisted? In 1970, a wild-eyed dreamer, Bob Guterl, believed it could. Bob was determined to solve, in one stroke, the problems of overpopulation and racism. The charming, larger-than-life lawyer and his brilliant wife, Sheryl, a former homecoming queen, launched a radical experiment to raise their two biological sons alongside four children adopted from Korea, Vietnam, and the South Bronx--the so-called war zones of the American century. They moved to rural New Jersey with dreams of creating what Bob described as a new Noah's ark, filled with "two of every race." While the venture made for a great photograph, with the proverbial "casseroles and potato chips out for everyone," the Brady Brunch faΓ§ade began to crack once reality seeped into the yard, adding undue complexity to the ordinary drama of a big family. Neighbors began to stare. Vacations went wrong. Joy and laughter commingled with discomfort and alienation. Familial bonds inevitably buckled. In the end, this picture-perfect family was no longer, and memories of the idyllic undertaking were marred by tragedy. In lyrical yet wrenching prose, Matthew Pratt Guterl, one of the children, narrates a family saga of astonishing originality, in which even the best intentions would prove woefully inadequate. He takes us inside the clapboard house where Bob and Sheryl raised their makeshift brood in a nation riven then as now by virulent racism and xenophobia. Chronicling both the humor and pathos of this experiment, he "opens a door to our dreams of what the idea of family might make possible." In the tradition of James McBride's The Color of Water, Skinfolk exposes the joys and constraints of love, blood, and belonging, and the persistent river of racial violence in America, past and present.
Screwtape
ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
FireBrang
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. 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!
Troubled Pie
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature.
BoomerBox
Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
Pixy Mox
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
VisionVoyager
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
DreamDasher
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. 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.
Freesia
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive.
Juno Cream
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Wanted Candy
I've become addicted to this app β in the best possible way! The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now!
Keystone
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Amphibi-Dangerous
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Sky Trinity
π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π 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. ππ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Twinkle Cutlass
β° Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks β energizing! π π§ Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Po1son
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
Fast Draw
Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Venom Petunia
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. ListenBookβs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Prez Dog
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Tall Honey
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration.
Lady Petal
π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes. 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.
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