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 faรงade 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.
FearLeSS
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. Iโm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Baked ZD
๐ช Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features โ audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! ๐ผ๐ง CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Shamrock
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. ๐๐ ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis.
Abyss Tamer
๐ This app has turned my errands into exciting quests โ I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ๐๐ ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Venom Charms
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Darkside Isis
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
THRESHmSTR
๐๏ธ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. I love the ability to change the background color. Itโs a nice touch.
Betty Cricket
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Audiobooks made convenient โ this app's functionality is impressive. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Emerald Vine
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze โ this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Kitchen
This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. ListenBookโs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
Hyper
๐ผ Merging work and pleasure โ audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! ๐ป๐ง ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Darkside Isis
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ๐๐ง Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Ladysmith
๐ง Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. ๐๐ฑ The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
Foot-long Fry
This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. 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. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
DARK HQ
ListenBook is a game-changer โ it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. ๐ฑ๐ง The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. ListenBookโs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Flashpoint
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless.
NexusNavigator
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks โ this app has converted me! With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Effortless audiobook exploration โ this app's design is a reader's dream.
Wheels
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Chuckles
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. Audiobooks have never been this accessible โ this app is a true innovation. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Mule Skinner
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itโs perfect for my needs.
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