Book description
2023 One Maryland One Book Finalist Winner of the 2022 Paris Book Award for General Nonfiction New York Public Library's Best Books for Adults Shelf Awareness 2022 Best Books of the Year Kirkus Review's 2022 Best Nonfiction Books and 2022 Best Books About Black Life in America Aspire TV's Top 5 Celebrity Memoirs of 2022 "If I had two wishes, it would be that D. Watkins spend an entire book writing through the terrifying wonder of Black boyness in America, and for every human to read and share this book. I am shaken. Black Boy Smile changed my relationship to writing and me."―Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy and winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal At nine years old, D. Watkins has three concerns in life: picking his dad's Lotto numbers, keeping his Nikes free of creases, and being a man. Directly in his periphery is east Baltimore, a poverty-stricken city battling the height of the crack epidemic just hours from the nation's capital. Watkins, like many boys around him, is thrust out of childhood and into a world where manhood means surviving by slinging crack on street corners and finding oneself on the right side of pistols. For thirty years, Watkins is forced to safeguard every moment of joy he experiences or risk losing himself entirely. Now, for the first time, Watkins harnesses these moments to tell the story of how he matured into the D. Watkins we know today--beloved author, college professor, editor-at-large of Salon.com, and devoted husband and father. Black Boy Smile lays bare Watkins's relationship with his father and his brotherhood with the boys around him. He shares candid recollections of early assaults on his body and mind and reveals how he coped using stoic silence disguised as manhood. His harrowing pursuit of redemption, written in his signature street style, pinpoints how generational hardship, left raw and unnurtured, breeds toxic masculinity. Watkins discovers a love for books, is admitted to two graduate programs, meets with his future wife, an attorney--and finds true freedom in fatherhood. Equally moving and liberating, Black Boy Smile is D. Watkins's love letter to Black boys in concrete cities, a daring testimony that brings to life the contradictions, fears, and hopes of boys hurdling headfirst into adulthood. Black Boy Smile is a story proving that when we acknowledge the fallacies of our past, we can uncover the path toward self-discovery. Black Boy Smile is the story of a Black boy who healed.
Rooster
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Nessie
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks.
Sleepwalker
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
Breezy Mustang
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
ThickSKN
This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Kevlar Wanted
The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Delirious Supernova
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces.
Spoiler
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits – it's a game-changer. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚
Gro
This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Bowie
The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Mrs. Voltage
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Stick Shift
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
PixelPathfinder
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Contrary Mary
This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
LoreLoomer
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Apple Nola
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Woo Woo
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. 🎉 Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks – this app turns errands into epic quests! 🛒📖
New Cycle
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
The Happy Jock
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. 📱 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! 📚🔥 As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Nueva Nova
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
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