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
Manly
Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
TulipCake
Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Midas
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators – they add a unique charm to each book. I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app.
Celtic Charger
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. I'm addicted to this app – it's like having a library in my pocket. 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. 📚👏
ButterQuest
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues!
HOV
🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift.
TrinitySoul
💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Shimmy Shammy
Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. I’m 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!
LoreLoomer
An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. 📚🎧 I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Acid Queen
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators – they add a unique charm to each book. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Audiobook adventures simplified – this app's functionality is a revelation. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Uncle Buddy
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
Pyscho Hun
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy.
Free Ham
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Cali Yacht
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Pocket Mazda
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
Crash Override
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
DreamDasher
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner.
Twix Esses
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Show Boat
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Snow Hound
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
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