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
Speedwell
Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment.
Clang Glyph
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. 📱🔊 Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
JK Friend
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Bad Badminton
Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me.
Alberta
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience.
RiddleRover
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience.
Doz Killer
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! 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!
Winter Underdog
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Doughboy, Esq
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. 💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉
Tin Fox
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done! An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Gr8 Flick
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance!
Saturnalia
With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Swampmasher
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way – through audiobooks! The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read – this app is always ready. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧 The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Whipsaw
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks.
Tweety Bun Bun
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream!
Criss Cross
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection.
Moon Cricket
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before.
Patton Digger
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience.
Wheels
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks – it's truly invigorating. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Chuckles
🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive.
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