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 exposé 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
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
The Dude
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
The Flying Mouse
ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Steel
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality.
Classy Luck
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Divine Bramble
Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Cougar Fuzz
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
BuffFreak
ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
Celtic Charger
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my passport to countless stories. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need.
Scooby Did
I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. 🎉 Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks – this app turns errands into epic quests! 🛒📖 The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
Mustard Centaur
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Dredd
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Mad Irishman
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧
Eight Patrol
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Mental Prophet
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literature. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Red Hot Kevorkian
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience!
Jungle King
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Runway Darling
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. 🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Saber-RED
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
SkyGod
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant companion for literary adventures.
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