Book description
Paris Review contributor Katy Kelleher explores our obsession with gorgeous things, unveiling the fraught histories of makeup, flowers, perfume, silk, and other beautiful objects. Katy Kelleher has spent much of her life chasing beauty. As a child, she uprooted handfuls of purple, fragrant little flowers from the earth, plucked iridescent seashells from the beach, and dug for turquoise stones in her backyard. As a teenager she applied glittery shimmer to her eyelids after religiously dabbing on her signature scent of orange blossoms and jasmine. And as an adult, she coveted gleaming marble countertops and delicate porcelain to beautify her home. This obsession with beauty led her to become a home, garden, and design writer, where she studied how beautiful things are mined, grown, made, and enhanced. In researching these objects, Kelleher concluded that most of us are blind to the true cost of our desires. Because whenever you find something unbearably beautiful, look closer, and you'll inevitably find a shadow of decay lurking underneath. In these dazzling and deeply researched essays, Katy Kelleher blends science, history, and memoir to uncover the dark underbellies of our favorite goods. She reveals the crushed beetle shells in our lipstick, the musk of rodents in our perfume, and the burnt cow bones baked into our dishware. She untangles the secret history of silk and muses on her problematic prom dress. She tells the story of countless workers dying in their efforts to bring us shiny rocks from unsafe mines that shatter and wound the earth, all because a diamond company created a compelling ad. She examines the enduring appeal of the beautiful dead girl and the sad fate of the ugly mollusk. With prose as stunning as the objects she describes, Kelleher invites readers to examine their own relationships with the beautiful objects that adorn their body and grace their homes. And yet, Kelleher argues that while we have a moral imperative to understand our relationship to desire, we are not evil or weak for desiring beauty. The Ugly History of Beautiful Things opens our eyes to beauty that surrounds us, helps us understand how that beauty came to be, what price was paid and by whom, and how we can most ethically partake in the beauty of the world.
Berlin Kamikaze
This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. 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.
Gbbledgoodk
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Cabbie
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Iron Jesus
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery β a win-win! With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Cosmic Presence
Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
The Flying Mouse
πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
ByteBard
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats β it's a true lifesaver. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Buckshot
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail.
Sugar Apple
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Chew Chew
This app's library is a treasure trove β I'm always discovering new favorites. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
LunaStar
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§
Metal Lady
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Insane SweepKick
ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Pogue
ListenBook's commitment to user experience shines through its thoughtful design and seamless functionality. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
Preach Man
Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§ Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ππ The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Raggedy Ann
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch.
Dora the Destroyer
Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Natural Gold
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
MythMaker
Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Old Man Winter
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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