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.
Count Eagle
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
Bowler
Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Rooster
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. 💪 Doubling the impact of my workouts – exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! 💪🎧 Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧
Phoenix Tetra
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app.
FireBerry
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Murder Cherry
💼 Making work hours fly by with captivating stories – a true work-life balance! 💻📖 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Star Scratch
WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
THRESHmSTR
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life.
Trash Master
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Bom Crossed
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's pure bliss. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Howitzer Rise
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
Wooden Man
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Firefly Caramel
Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
ThoughtTracer
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Slacker Cat
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
InsightfulInk
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
MicroStar
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Murder Cherry
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
BuzzMouse
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Little Granger
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
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