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.
Alpha
Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks.
Nacho
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
Married Man
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. 💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖 With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
Spicy Thunder
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Mr. Spy
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Miss Lucky
The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. ListenBook is more than just an app – it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Liquid Death
This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Whipsaw
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic!
Duke Electro
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
Dropkick
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true.
Engine Eye
Streamlining audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is truly impressive. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Coma Stalk
💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ 💡 The future of audiobook listening is here – this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. 🎧🔮 Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs.
Saint La-Z-Boy
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Oblivion
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles.
Lilac Lizard
🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ 🎙️ The app's functionality is a true work of art – it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. 📚🎨
Amphibi-Dangerous
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️
Hyper Kong
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Lucifurious
🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. 📚🎧 ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
ManManMan
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest!
Swampmasher
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. I’m 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!
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