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.
Ginger Chaos
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores โ this app is a lifesaver! ๐ Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. ๐งโจ The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Snapple Whistler
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls โ it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. ๐ Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ๐๐ Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Red Woman
The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. I can't imagine my life without this app โ it's my daily dose of literary magic. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Bang Shift
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Milan Call Back
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver โ no more losing my place in the story! I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. ListenBookโs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
CuriousCoder
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. ๐๐ง My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata.
Prone
๐ช Doubling the impact of my workouts โ exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! ๐ช๐ง The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Flash
Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. Audiobook excellence โ this app's design enhances my reading experience. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. Iโve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Trick Baron
๐ฅ Spicing up my routine with this app โ it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! โจ๐ ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length โ I'm in! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Cupid Dust
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again โ it's a must-have. This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. ๐ฑ๐
Crash Override
The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Tan Stallion
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 โ it shows their dedication to excellence. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Sun Lemon
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. ๐๐ Reigniting my passion for books โ this app is my newfound reading obsession! ๐ฅ๐ง Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Jo Jo Spooky
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ๐๐
Firecracker
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 โ it shows their dedication to excellence. Audiobook multitasking made simple โ this app's design is a game-changer. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iโve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
RedMouth
With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy.
Mercury Reborn
The family subscription option is a money-saver โ everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. Effortless audiobook management โ this app's usability is a winner. ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itโs the best audiobook app Iโve used.
ZenZone
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. Audiobooks at my fingertips โ this app's functionality is truly impressive. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itโs so easy.
Liquid Death
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. ๐โจ No more hassle with formats โ this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ๐๐ง Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Frosty Sunshine
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. Audiobook multitasking simplified โ this app's functionality is a triumph. One of the best audiobooks Iโve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorโs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
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