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.
Night Magnet
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π 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.
Sultan of Speed
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Dream Killer
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Steel Ginger
The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
57 Pixels
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments β I'm forever grateful. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly.
Pepper Mouse
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Freeze Queen
Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy!
Preach Man
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Moon Laser
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Free Ham
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
DollFaceKillah
Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
ByteBard
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Pogue
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ
East Army
Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a triumph. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
ThoughtTrail
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Wildcat Talent
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Swampmasher
π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
Mr. Wholesome
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π πΆββοΈπ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure β I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ποΈπ ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits.
Jack Cassidy
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
NexusNomad
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
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