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
Killah Goose
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
Unseen
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories.
Easy Sweep
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Runway Darling
ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Black Mustard
No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
German Coach
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere.
Bowler
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Crazy Eights
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading.
Spoiler
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook! I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
Dangle
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. 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! I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Con Mammoth
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
SWAT Honey
This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress.
Murmur
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature!
Kimono Goddess
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift.
Heartbreaker
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ
Jelly Camber
ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
ShadowDancer
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ππ I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Freak
No more fighting over the radio during family trips β we're all hooked on audiobooks now. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Disco Thunder
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature.
New Cycle
I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
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