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.
Stick Shift
💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
ShadowFax
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive.
Fire Queen
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Midas
I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. 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!
Barbera Shift
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚 Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
Devil Chick
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. 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!
ByteBard
Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. 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!
Arsenic Coo
Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
ManMaker
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's design is user-centric. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Pexxious
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Shade Nightman
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits.
Kazami of Truth
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
Sky Trinity
This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
Guillotine
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized.
Toy Dogwatch
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
WordWanderer
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Doughboy, Esq
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Coldy
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Chip Queen
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits – truly impressive. 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!
Junkyard Dog
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
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