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.
VisionVoyager
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments.
Saber-RED
Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable.
Wildcat Appaloosa
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
Troubadour
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Red Heroine
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading.
Leaf Assassin
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
Y0dler
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Kamikaze Granny
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience – it's like having a personal audio library. I'm addicted to this app – it's like having a library in my pocket. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures.
Candy Butcher
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Tacklebox
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Demand Chopper
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content.
Rocky Highway
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Gentle Avenger
Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! 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! Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Broomspun
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Hitch Frenzy
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment.
Bugger
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
AirportHobo XD
I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
Moon Radar
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
Lil Rebel Ma
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist!
Mad Kid
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
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