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
FRMhndshk
Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Mindless Bobcat
I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
Murder Cherry
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. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Old Orange Eyes
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. 👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. 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!
RedFeet
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly.
Lady Killer
📚 The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. 📱📖 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings.
Natural Gold
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Ember Master
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. 🌟 Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? 🚗📖 Finally, an app that values usability – navigating and listening is a breeze! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats!
Bambi Wings
No more straining my eyes to read – now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖
Skylark
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Viceswerve
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚
Ex0tic
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Abiss
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers.
IceDog
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
CuriousCrafter
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Round Kick Boomer
🎉 Unveiling the joy of reading once again – this app is my gateway to literary wonders! 📚🔓 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
High-Fructose
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Barbera Shift
ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Spoiler
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. 🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖
Overrun
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
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