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.
Kabuki
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Titanium Ladybug
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
High Kingdom Warrior
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Dance Cannon
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Demo
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch.
Twix Esses
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Magenta
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Squatch
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Are Ess Tee
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Goatee Shield
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Dream Killer
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Despair
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Bourbon Mirage
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PixelPilgrim
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Prof. Screw
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Handsome
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FearLeSS
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need.
Engine Eye
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Digital Equinox
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go.
Marbles
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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