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
Ladybird
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Con Mammoth
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. π±π The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Guncap Slingbad
Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Dancing Madman
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Blizzard Vixen
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Grave Scuttlebutt
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Tootsie Killer
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Vortex
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Sβmore Vixen
π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable!
SmartieQuest
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Apple Nola
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯ ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly.
WanderWord
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ
Sokol
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§
Trash Master
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
HedgeH0g2
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Forger
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Goatee Shield
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ
Curio
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know.
Arsenic Coo
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app!
Guillotine
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
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