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
Boost Princess
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Audiobooks made delightful – this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey.
Fennel Dove
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! ☀️🎧 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
EchoExplorer
⭐️ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! 🧹🏰 The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Mental Prophet
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests.
ThreadTraveler
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Daffy Girl
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. I'm grateful for this app – it's made reading a part of my everyday life. 🌟 Embracing reading in the busiest of times – this app is my everyday escape! 📚🏃♀️ This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
High Beam
This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. 💡 Balancing learning and living effortlessly – audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! 🎧💫
Pixy Mox
🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖 Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. 📱📖 ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
BuzzBait
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Scarlet Mary
Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
NoiseFire
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done! The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Friday Fox
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Hightower
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Con Mammoth
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. 🌟 Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories – thank you, this app! 👚📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Lord Pistachio
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends – and they all love it! With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit.
Delirious Supernova
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available – there's something for everyone. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
FrankenGrin
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏
Lady In Red
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Miss Lucky
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings.
Ozzie Treat
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
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