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
Demo Zero
ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use.
InsightInkwell
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. 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.
Sleek Assassin
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. 👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Spooky Yellowjacket
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable!
Junkyard Dog
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Deano
Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Onion King
Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
ThermalMode
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
HedgeH0g2
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. 🏃♀️🌟 Experiencing stories while staying active – this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. 🎧🏞️ ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Sugar Hiccup
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Voodoo Queen
🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 🚗 Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! 🚗📚 🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
Dancing Madman
Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience.
Little Drunk Girl
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. 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!
Screwtape
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. 🎉 The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. 📱🎧 Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
Sexy
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my passport to countless stories. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests.
HedgeH0g2
Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. 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!
Silver Cup
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Romance Princess
I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Clang Glyph
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights – I'm never without a good story. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Ex0tic
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
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