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
Firecracker
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch.
Thrasher
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
Free Ham
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Queen Bee
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Lucky Martian
Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward – thank you, app! ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study.
Plegasus
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
StarStrider
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
High Kingdom Warrior
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
BearDrift
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Flakes
Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌 The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes.
Judge
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
X-Dew
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
PixelPioneer
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
Desert Haze
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Jester
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues!
Abiss
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Lilac Lizard
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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!
Acid Queen
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream!
JigKraken
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. 🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
Gold Bentley
Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
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