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
DreamDasher
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Skull Crusher
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. 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. ππ§ The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless.
Slow Trot
Audiobook excellence made simple β this app's functionality is a true asset. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Neophyte Believer
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is β it's like being inside the story. The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Pompeii Unicorn
ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere.
Waylay Dave
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Nueva Nova
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward β thank you, app!
Dancing Madman
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
Boost
This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is top-notch. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night. 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!
Mad Kid
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Succubus In Training
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Racy Lady
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§
Deano
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Candy Butcher
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ« Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Moon Laser
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey.
Demolition Queen
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Rocky Highway
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient.
Blinker
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³ The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Digital Goddess
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
ThoughtTrailblazer
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream.
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