Book description
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST - A sweeping, genre-bending "masterpiece" (Minneapolis Star Tribune) exploring Black art, music, and culture in all their glory and complexity--from Soul Train, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Whitney Houston, and BeyoncΓ© ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Dallas Morning News, Publishers Weekly "Gorgeous essays that reveal the resilience, heartbreak, and joy within Black performance."--Brit Bennett, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Half "I was a devil in other countries, and I was a little devil in America, too." Inspired by these few words, spoken by Josephine Baker at the 1963 March on Washington, MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellow and bestselling author Hanif Abdurraqib has written a profound and lasting reflection on how Black performance is inextricably woven into the fabric of American culture. Each moment in every performance he examines--whether it's the twenty-seven seconds in "Gimme Shelter" in which Merry Clayton wails the words "rape, murder," a schoolyard fistfight, a dance marathon, or the instant in a game of spades right after the cards are dealt--has layers of resonance in Black and white cultures, the politics of American empire, and Abdurraqib's own personal history of love, grief, and performance. Touching on Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Billy Dee Williams, the Wu-Tan Clan, Dave Chappelle, and more, Abdurraqib writes prose brimming with jubilation and pain. With care and generosity, he explains the poignancy of performances big and small, each one feeling intensely familiar and vital, both timeless and desperately urgent. Filled with sharp insight, humor, and heart, A Little Devil in America exalts the Black performance that unfolds in specific moments in time and space--from midcentury Paris to the moon, and back down again to a cramped living room in Columbus, Ohio. WINNER OF THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL AND THE GORDON BURN PRIZE - FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD AND THE PEN/DIAMONSTEIN-SPIELVOGEL AWARD ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, Time, The Boston Globe, NPR, Rolling Stone, Esquire, BuzzFeed, Thrillist, She Reads, BookRiot, BookPage, Electric Lit, The Rumpus, LitHub, Library Journal, Booklist
Pepper Prada
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ππ ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
RiddleRover
Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback.
Lady Q
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph.
Fire Queen
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§
Fadey
π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ±
Bones
This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Moon Peaches
No more fighting over the radio during family trips β we're all hooked on audiobooks now. π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Magenta
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
MysticMingle
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Baby Brown
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment.
Nola
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment.
Mr. Spy
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone!
Microwave Chardonnay
This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Liquid Science
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel.
Spooky Electric
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
Crash Override
ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
SubWoof330
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§ Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
Cooger
The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
K-9
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨ The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
ReiGnZ
This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
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