Book description
NATIONAL BESTSELLERAN INDIE BESTSELLER "The Other Significant Others...fundamentally, it's become my new Bible." -- Trevor Noah"An arresting work of compassion and insight." ―Lori Gottlieb"I loved and recommend [The Other Significant Others] to everybody." --Ezra Klein "I feel like I've been waiting for this book for my entire adult life." ―Anne Helen Petersen Why do we assume romantic relationships are more important than friendships? What do we lose when we expect a spouse to meet all our needs? And what can we learn about commitment, love, and family from people who put deep friendship at the center of their lives? In The Other Significant Others, NPR's Rhaina Cohen invites us into the lives of people who have defied convention by choosing a friend as a life partner--these are friends who are home co-owners, co-parents or each other's caregivers. Their riveting stories unsettle widespread assumptions about relationships, including the idea that sex is a defining feature of partnership and that people who raise kids together should be in a romantic relationship. Platonic partners from different walks of life--spanning age and religion, gender and sexuality and more--reveal how freeing and challenging it can be to embrace a relationship model that society doesn't recognize. And they show that orienting your world around friends isn't limited to daydreams and episodes of The Golden Girls, but actually possible in real life. Based on years of original reporting and striking social science research, Cohen argues that we undermine romantic relationships by expecting too much of them, while we diminish friendships by expecting too little of them. She traces how, throughout history, our society hasn't always fixated on marriage as the greatest source of meaning, or even love. At a time when many Americans are spending large stretches of their lives single, widowed or divorced, or feeling the effects of the "loneliness epidemic," Cohen insists that we recognize the many forms of profound connection that can anchor our lives. A rousing and incisive book, The Other Significant Others challenges us to ask what we want from our relationships--not just what we're supposed to want--and transforms how we define a fulfilling life.
About the Author
Rhaina Cohen is an award-winning producer and editor for NPR's documentary podcast, Embedded. Her work, often focused on social connection, has aired on numerous podcasts and radio shows, including Hidden Brain, Invisibilia, and All Things Considered, and her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The New Republic and elsewhere. The recipient of a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Cohen is a graduate of Northwestern University and Oxford, where she was a Marshall Scholar. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, friends, and her friends' children.
Nacho
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile!
BuffFreak
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! 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.
Mad Kid
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 Audiobook excellence simplified – this app's functionality is a true delight. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
Sw33per
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Red Hot Kevorkian
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Pocket Muzzie
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. 📱🔊 Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
West Warrior
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Gov Skull
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel.
Silver Cup
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
MindfulMingle
I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true. 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly.
Alley Cat
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. 🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Digital Moonshine
📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 💡 This app's convenience is a blessing – I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! 📱👩🍳 Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
SunVolt
This app has revolutionized my daily routine – I can't imagine life without it. 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
BloodEater
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Hex Panther
From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Accidental Genius
🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗 An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. 📚🎧
Sepukku
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality.
Beo
With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Hoboken Nightingale
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. 🎉 This app has ignited my passion for reading – I can't get enough of its convenience! 📚🔥 Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Queen Bee
ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
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