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 BeyoncΓ© 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
Trouble Mittens
I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use.
Eye Candy Kitten
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Married Man
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed β it's my form of meditation. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. Iβm 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!
Carrot Joker
ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift.
Spontan8ty
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day.
Tangerine
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature.
Flash Protein
This app makes traffic jams a breeze β time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Lady Killer
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
2nd Hand Joe
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
High Woo
πΌ Enhancing work-from-home productivity β audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. π»π ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session.
HedgeH0g2
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. π This app's functionality is a masterpiece β it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. ππ¨ This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Automatic Slicer
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Roller Girl
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Tough Nut
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Judge
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
Fast FLAK
The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Troublemasher
Audiobook immersion without fuss β this app's ease of use is commendable. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
Lope Lope
Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace.
Pocket Muzzie
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Sleepwalker
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
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