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
Jelly Camber
I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
White Snare
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ
Undergrad
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions. 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!
Demo Zero
Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight.
Toe
ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
Thrasher
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks β it's truly invigorating.
Vixen
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention.
Marbles
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else.
FlyGuardX
The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. 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!
HOV
CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Green Scavenger
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π
3P-own
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
SunVolt
With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly.
Magenta
Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use.
InsightInkwell
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks β it's truly invigorating. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! 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 wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
WittyWordsmith
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! The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
SunVolt
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Unseen
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze β a true travel essential. Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
RawSkills
This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy.
Star Jammer
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever.
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