Book description
Part memoir, part practical parenting guide, best-selling author Gabrielle Blair and her husband, PhD educator Ben Blair--parents to six kids ages 14-27--offer up unexpected and insightful lessons that encourage overwhelmed parents to let go of tired expectations of what it means to be a "good parent," and instead lean into adventure and embrace uncertainty (for their sake, and their kids'). Do you find parenting stressful or overwhelming? Do you worry about your child's education in an unpredictable future? Is it hard to get your kid to cooperate? You're not alone. Gabrielle and Ben Blair have been raising kids for over two decades. Through the years, they've charted their own unconventional path: working from home before remote work was a thing; uprooting their kids four, five, six times - including a move to France where they enrolled in local schools without knowing the language. It's been a unique parenting journey characterized by experimentation, trial and error, decisions prompted by financial or psychological necessity, varying levels of anxiety and tension, despair, and hope. This unique path turned out to be fertile soil for growing independent, resilient, and creative kids, and a family that is genuinely close and truly enjoys each other's company. With this book they share how they did it, and how you can too: by letting go of outdated expectations of what it means to be a good parent; by accepting that the old rules won't necessarily apply in the future (changes in higher ed and career-building are evolving at a rapid pace); and by instead focusing on making your time with your kids one of connection, adventure, shared projects, creativity, and joy. It's about creating a family life that embraces change and uncertainty instead of running from it.
About the Author
Ben Blair holds a PhD in Philosophy and Education from Columbia University. He is a Cofounder and President of Newlane University. Started in 2017, Newlane is an online university with a mission to make quality liberal arts higher education accessible to anyone on earth by breaking down barriers of cost, schedule, and geography. Newlane students and professors are based in 40+ different countries. Newlane offers affordable, accredited Bachelor's degrees. Gabrielle Blair is the founder of DesignMom.com. Started in 2006, it has been named a Parenting Website of the Year by Time magazine, and praised as a top parenting blog by The Wall Street Journal, Parents, and Better Homes and Gardens. Gabrielle is also a founder of Alt Summit, the blockbuster annual conference for creatives and creative entrepreneurs who work online, currently in its sixteenth year. As a thought leader for more than eighteen years, Gabrielle's writing is quoted and shared across the globe daily. Gabrielle's most recent book, Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion, an instant New York Times bestseller, was published in 2022 by Workman, and is available in twelve international editions. Ben and Gabrielle have six children: Ralph, Maude, Olive, Oscar, Betty, and Flora June. After six years in Oakland, California, they now live in Normandy, France, where they are renovating a home built in the 1400s. You can follow along at @DesignMom on Instagram.
Teeder
This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. Bravo to the creators of this app โ they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ๐๐ High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
Scratch Man
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver โ no more losing my place in the story! ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Opulent Gamer
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. ๐ Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. ๐งโจ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Mad Robin
Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! 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.
Dez
ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
GoldTouch
๐ Rekindling my love for reading โ this app makes each day a new adventure! ๐๐ Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. ListenBookโs design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use.
Cream
Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Midnight Rambler
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
3P-own
I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless.
AirportHobo XD
The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureโit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Married Man
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is โ it's like being inside the story. The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. No more straining my eyes โ this app lets me 'read' with my ears! Audiobooks made easy โ this app's functionality is truly a gift.
Pocket Mazda
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. ListenBookโs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Sky Herald
This app's library is a treasure trove โ I'm always discovering new favorites. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes.
CuriousCraft
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature.
Sweet Bacon
The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful!
Snow Cream
Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Santa's Little Helper
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ
360
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits โ it's a game-changer. No more converting files โ this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition! ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Ex0tic
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. ๐ Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores โ a dance of productivity! ๐ถ๐ The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content.
Sky Herald
This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. ๐ง Audiobooks anywhere, anytime โ this app's convenience is unbeatable! ๐๐ ๐ฅ Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger โ this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. ๐ฑ๐ Mastering audiobook navigation โ this app's ease of use is commendable. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
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