Book description
Imagine if your mom was a dystopian novel. The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan is that novel, and it's the audiobook you'll binge while muttering, "Wait, I checked my phone once while my kid ate cereal? I'm getting sent to boot camp?" (Spoiler: You are.)
Jessamine Chan, a debut author who somehow got Barack Obama to say "This book's great" (seriously, how?), crafts a world where one parenting misstep-like accidentally texting "suck it" to your sister instead of "suck it up"-lands you in a government reform camp for moms. Think Big Brother, but with more lactation consultants and fewer creepy men in black. Frida Liu, a woman who already feels like she's failing at being a "good" Chinese American mom (thanks, immigrant parents and wellness-obsessed husband), gets the ultimate parenting fail: she let her kid walk home from school. Cue the state's "Good Mother" program, where every lullaby is monitored, your love is judged for being "too loud," and custody hinges on your ability to not sigh when your toddler throws a tantrum in the grocery store.
The audiobook? Chef's kiss. The narrator's deadpan delivery of lines like, "Your child's safety is not a priority-your compliance is," is so sharp, you'll snort-laugh into your coffee. It's surreal (People called it that, and they're not wrong), infuriatingly timely (like, yesterday), and packed with dark humor that makes you feel guilty for laughing. Chan's prose is spare but devastating-like a single, perfectly aimed spitball to the forehead. You'll find yourself nodding along, muttering, "Yes, the state does judge your parenting choices while you're literally trying to survive the school run."
It's not just about dystopian tropes; it's a hilarious, gut-punching takedown of how society polices mothers-especially mothers of color and working moms-while ignoring the real monsters: the ones who say, "Just be perfect, honey." The book's genius? It makes you realize: This isn't a far-fetched future. This is the mom group chat right now. And the narrator? She's your sarcastic best friend who's seen it all, whispering, "You've been here before. You've all been here before."
So press play. You'll be hooked by Frida's struggle to prove she's "good" while the state's judgmental mom squad watches (and judges your snack choices). It's The Handmaid's Tale meets Mommy War-but with far more sarcasm and zero judgment for your late-night pizza run. And trust me: the moment you hear the narrator say, "Your child is your responsibility, not your identity," you'll want to scream into the void. Then immediately recommend it to your mom, your sister, and the stranger who just judged your kid's messy hair. Because everyone needs this reality check-and the audiobook's perfect for when you're too tired to read but need to scream into a pillow. Just don't check your phone while listening. You know, for safety.
VenusXX
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable.
Little General
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Mindless Bobcat
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Baby Spell
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. 📱🔊 The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Mad Kid
🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Poppy Coffee
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch.
Sleek Assassin
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Cuff Queen
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. 💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze.
Marine Dre
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling.
Swampmasher
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection.
Pyscho Hun
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
Scrapple
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
Stud muffin
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! 📱🔊 A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Congo Wire
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine – it's my ultimate audio companion. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
D-Hog-Day
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles! This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧
MuseMaster
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content.
Mud Eye
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Kazami of Truth
I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Voluntary
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver – no more losing my place in the story! ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature!
Granola
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. 📱 No more lugging around heavy books – this app brings the library to my phone! 📚📱
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