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
Boo
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities.
Stickers
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Sweet Manhattan
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations β they're spot on. π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Daisy Stick
I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Soda Delirium
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Darkside Hooker
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Prone
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable.
Infinite Hole
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Knock Out Star
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
BoomerBox
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule.
Sofa King
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
White Snare
I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks.
Solo Kill
π± An entire library at my fingertips β this app is a book lover's dream come true! ππ ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
ThermalMode
π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯ π§ Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs β this app has it all! ππΌ π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Gold Dahlia
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Nola
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ
Instant Star
π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time. ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
Pepper Mouse
ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Celtic Charger
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising β thanks to this app! I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic β what a win! πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ Effortless and enriching β 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. π±π
Cereal Killer
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
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