Book description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER The star of the Harold and Kumar franchise, House, and Designated Survivor recounts why he rejected the advice of his aunties and guidance counselors and, instead of becoming a doctor or "something practical," embarked on a surprising journey that has included confronting racism in Hollywood, meeting his future husband, and working in the Obama administration, in this entertaining and refreshingly candid memoir. You Can't Be Serious is a series of funny, consequential, awkward, and ridiculous stories from Kal Penn's idiosyncratic life. It's about being the grandson of Gandhian freedom fighters, and the son of immigrant parents: people who came to this country with very little and went very far--and whose vision of the American dream probably never included their son sliding off an oiled-up naked woman in the raunchy Ryan Reynolds movie Van Wilder...or getting a phone call from Air Force One as Kal flew with the country's first Black president. With intelligence, humor, and charm on every page, Kal reflects on the most exasperating and rewarding moments from his journey so far. He pulls back the curtain on the nuances of opportunity and racism in the entertainment industry and recounts how he built allies, found encouragement, and dealt with early reminders that he might never fit in. He describes his initially unpromising first date with his now-fiancé Josh, involving an 18-pack of Coors Light and an afternoon of watching NASCAR. And of course, he reveals how, after a decade and a half of fighting for and enjoying successes in Hollywood, he made the terrifying but rewarding decision to take a sabbatical from a fulfilling acting career for an opportunity to serve his country as an Obama White House aide. Above all, You Can't Be Serious shows that everyone can have more than one life story. Kal demonstrates by example that no matter who you are and where you come from, you have many more choices than those presented to you. It's a story about struggle, triumph, and learning how to keep your head up. And okay, yes, it's also about how he accidentally (and very stupidly) accepted an invitation to take the entire White House Office of Public Engagement to a strip club--because, let's be honest, that's the kind of stuff you really want to hear about.
The Flying Mouse
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
ShadowDancer
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. 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!
Sun Lemon
With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions.
Stallion Patton
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Lucky Aurora
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app.
Swing Setter
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
BearDrift
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Lucky Aurora
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
ByteBard
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion.
Paris Boost
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖 The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch. 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! This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Fadey
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Toolmaker
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Emerald Goddess
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Lincoln Rider
ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Marbles
🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. 📚💫 The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch.
Green Ghost
Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Heavenly Connection
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. 🚶♀️📱 I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. 🏞️📚 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Vicious Street
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
Firefly Caramel
👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Paris Boost
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
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