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 Beyoncรฉ 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
Forger
The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. 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.
Skull Crusher
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Mt. Indiana
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments โ I'm forever grateful. ๐ถ๐ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs โ this app is my go-to playlist! ๐ง๐ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ๐๐ Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
Bleach
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained.
Dream Killer
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. ๐ผ Enhancing work-from-home productivity โ audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. ๐ป๐
Succubus In Training
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Running with purpose โ audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ง Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Divine Bramble
I'm hooked on this app โ it's like Netflix for book lovers! ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
Sienna Princess
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature!
Universe Bullet
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. ๐ก This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts โ it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ๐๐ง ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! 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.
Baked ZD
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ๐๐
Toe
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant โ it's that good! I can't imagine my life without this app โ it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. Efficient audiobook enjoyment โ this app's functionality is a revelation. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ๐๐ง Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
EchoExplorer
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Sultan of Speed
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. ๐๐ง Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Bug Blitz
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively.
Electric Player
๐ Making each day a new chapter โ this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ๐๐ 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.
Breadmaker
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind โ and this app is my partner in crime. I've been recommending this app to all my friends โ it's a true game-changer. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donโt have the time.
Manly
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Landfill Max
I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. ๐ผ Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! ๐ป๐ Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. The app is so well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Kamikaze Grandma
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library โ this app's design is commendable. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless.
RiddleRover
Navigating audiobooks with ease โ this app's design is user-centric. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightโnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend! A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
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