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."βKiese 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.
Prof. Smirk
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
White Snare
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Moon Cricket
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning.
Sienna Princess
πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
Winter Bite
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
New York Winder
Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session.
Ladybird
π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ππ± ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
RiddleRover
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Jelly Camber
I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Helmet Destroyer
Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
NecroBull
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time.
Fennel Dove
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Killer Grenade
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Serendipity
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze β a true travel essential. I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
High Kingdom Warrior
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Delicious
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Bridge Whip
With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
Wildcat Talent
π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
Lime
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks.
Fast FLAK
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
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