Book description
"A riveting indictment of the child welfare system . . . [A] bracing gut punch of a book." --Robert Kolker, The Washington Post "[A] moving and superbly reported book." --Jessica Winter, The New Yorker "A harrowing account . . . [and] a powerful critique of [the] foster care system . . . We Were Once a Family is a wrenching book." --Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice The shocking, deeply reported story of a murder-suicide that claimed the lives of six children--and a searing indictment of the American foster care system. On March 26, 2018, rescue workers discovered a crumpled SUV and the bodies of two women and multiple children at the bottom of a cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway. Investigators soon concluded that the crash was a murder-suicide, but there was more to the story: Jennifer and Sarah Hart, it turned out, were a white married couple who had adopted six Black children from two different Texas families in 2006 and 2008. Behind the family's loving facade was an alleged pattern of abuse and neglect that had been ignored as the couple withdrew the children from school and moved west. It soon became apparent that the State of Texas knew all too little about the two individuals to whom it had given custody of six children. Immersive journalism of the highest order, Roxanna Asgarian's We Were Once a Family is a revelation of precarious lives; it is also a shattering exposΓ© of the foster care and adoption systems that produced this tragedy. As a journalist in Houston, Asgarian sought out the children's birth families and put them at the center of the story. We follow the lives of the Harts' adopted children and their birth parents, and the machinations of the state agency that sent the children far away. Asgarian's reporting uncovers persistent racial biases and corruption as young people of color are separated from birth parents without proper cause. The result is a riveting narrative and a deeply reported indictment of a system that continues to fail America's most vulnerable children while upending the lives of their families.
PixelPathfinder
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
CirrusFlash
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Dark Burn
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Mental Prophet
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§ Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a winner.
Daffy Girl
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
DreamWeaver
Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. π±π§ I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
IceDog
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. 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!
General Broomdog
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
AlertXis
This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life β it's incredible. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
Mr. Thanksgiving
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Prof. Smirk
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps.
Midnight Rider
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ
New York Winder
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive.
Jo Jo Spooky
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π
Lord Nikon
Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Tootsie Killer
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
NexusNinja
Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Little General
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. π± Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward β this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. ππ«
Chameleon
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
Flash Protein
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. 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!
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