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
Whip 2T
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Twinkle Cutlass
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. 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.
Pockets
⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization!
Video Game Heroine
As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
SunVolt
📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Stick Shift
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 Audiobook excellence simplified – this app's functionality is a true delight. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Crazy Eights
🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖 User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive.
Divine Quasar
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. 👩🍳 Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories – this app adds flavor to my meals! 🍳🎧 Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Hobo Samurai
ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. The app's performance is remarkable – it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Versace-Cat
This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. I can’t believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Wiccan Trouble
Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Martini Flower
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
HedgeH0g2
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. 📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️
Apple Nola
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Psycho Thinker
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. 🚗📚 Turn traffic into a literary escape – this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. 🚗🎧 ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
EchoEnigma
ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
Star Jammer
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Solitaire
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
McDreamy
💼 Workday blues? Not anymore – this app turns my office hours into reading time! 💻📖 ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Miss Nova
💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
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