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
Cosmic Presence
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Chicago Blackout
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
VisionVoyager
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Bad Princess
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
Miss Murder
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
Suicide Crusher
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience.
Waylay Dave
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features.
Cujo
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§ Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
Miss Twilight
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
Zorkle Sporkle
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze.
Fire Feline
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Pitfall
π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Reed Lady
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing.
Bowler
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch.
Pigeon Woman
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Mr. Lucky
No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. ππ± The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Roma Kabuki
Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a standout. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
Devil Blade
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π
Chapstick
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again β it's a must-have. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze.
Hoover Spark
From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. Listening to audiobooks has never been this 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