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
MuseMaster
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
White Dragon
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius.
Frosty Squid
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Handsome
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks.
Racy Lady
Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook! The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Most Wanted
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. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Sassy Muffin
With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Darkside Hooker
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit.
Red Delicious
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature!
Lady Fantastic
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Black Fantastic
This app has reignited my passion for literature β I'm devouring books like never before. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. 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 As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment.
IdeaAlchemy
Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ
IdeaAlchemy
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. 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. ππ
DeathDancer
π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Mule Skinner
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
MysticMingle
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Mt. Indiana
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Doz Killer
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Fire Bite
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Mint Ness
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
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