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 Beyoncé 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
Sleek Assassin
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Red Delicious
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Slow Trot
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. 🚶♀️🌌 This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure – I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. 🏞️📖 The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Hog Butcher
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves!
Backstreet
Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy.
ShadowFax
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
McDreamy
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. 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. 🌌🎧 The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Trigger Warming
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Dez Bonbon
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset.
Bit Sentinel
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
Mother Night
Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer!
Street Jolly
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. 🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
White Snare
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧 With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
Renegade Slugger
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
Seattle Jay
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Vicious Street
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Helmet Destroyer
ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
WordWanderer
🌟 Say goodbye to boredom during long drives – this app makes road trips fly by! 🚗🎉 Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨
Admiral Tot
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. 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. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities.
Koi Diva
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
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