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
Black Hole Necromancer
This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§
Mustard Centaur
Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Noisy Girl
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Hyper Kong
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient.
Die Slice
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. Audiobook excellence made simple β this app's functionality is a true asset. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Pinup Diva
This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Prof. Screw
This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ
Master Jetson
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Frosty
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats β it's a true lifesaver.
Shamrock
πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Landfill Max
π Making every moment count β this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! ππ« πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! π±π§
Cosmo
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks.
Hex Panther
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
EchoEmissary
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ
Miss Fix It
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
D-Hog-Day
User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
Stone Boomstick
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
CodeExia
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ±
Trash Pocky
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
QuestQuill
Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
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