Audiobook The Ugly History of Beautiful Things: Essays on Desire and... by Katy Kelleher in the ListenBook app
Want to listen to the audiobook The Ugly History of Beautiful Things: Essays on Desire and... written by Katy Kelleher
ListenBook is here to help!
In ListenBook you can listen The Ugly History of Beautiful Things: Essays on Desire and... and any other audiobooks you download from the internet.
ListenBook is the easiest and most convenient app for listening to audiobooks
in MP3, MP4, OPUS, OGG, FLAC, AWB, M4B, M4A, WMA, AAC formats
on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad!
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.
This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel.
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. 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! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes.
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight. 🎧 Navigating through narratives has never been simpler – this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. 📚💫 Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps.
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. 🔥 Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears – audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. 🎵📖 Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
🎙️ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt – what a game-changer! 🛒📚 ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. I’ve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
👀📚 Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier – this app's soothing voices 😴🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight.
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel.
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. 💪 Doubling the impact of my workouts – exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! 💪🎧 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. 🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind.
ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool.
👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Trusted by over 100,000 users across the globe
What is ListenBook?
Why ListenBook?
How does it work?
1
Download audiobooks from any site in any of the supported formats.
2
Add audiobooks to the app using any of the many download methods available.
3
Listen to audiobooks by controlling playback from your phone, headphones, Apple Watch or CarPlay.
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
App for those who love audiobooks
ListenBook has the features you need no matter what you are listening to
Listening to fiction
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
Listening to audio lectures
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
Every day, thousands of people download ListenBook to listen to audiobooks.
Now it's your turn to listen to audiobooks without distraction!
