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
Are Ess Tee
The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Grinch Cheese
The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Microwave Chardonnay
With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ๐๐ง 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. ๐๐ง Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Undergrad Split
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. ๐ฑ Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward โ this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. ๐๐ซ
RedMouth
This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. ๐๏ธ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt โ what a game-changer! ๐๐ ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ๐๐
RedFeet
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable.
Crossing Guard
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. ๐๐ Reigniting my passion for books โ this app is my newfound reading obsession! ๐ฅ๐ง Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Feral Mayhem
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. I can't get enough of this app's convenience โ it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend!
Switch
๐โโ๏ธ๐ Combining exercise and exploration โ this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! ๐โโ๏ธ๐ With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ๐๐ง High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
PixelPioneer
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful โ I'm hooked! This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine.
Switch
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket โ truly amazing! Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
High Beam
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ๐ผ Enhancing work-from-home productivity โ audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. ๐ป๐ Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition! The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
VisionVoyager
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ๐๐ง Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Intimidation Station
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
Pecan Oblivion
โญ๏ธ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures โ this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ๐๐ง Bravo to the creators of this app โ they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ๐๐
Dark Matter
๐ Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures โ audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ๐๐ Effortlessly immersing in stories โ this app's ease of use is a game-changer. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening.
Rosie Bird
I've never been so excited about my daily commute โ thanks to this app. I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in โ all thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues.
Electric Player
The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Blood Taker
This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Dandelion
I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodโwhat a creative addition! I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
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