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."โKiese 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.
Lskeee
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Ladybird
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ๐ง Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app โ pure listening pleasure! ๐๐ฅ No more hassle with formats โ this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ๐๐ง I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Gbbledgoodk
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
ChatterChampion
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
RoarSweetie
This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules โ it's like time travel through stories. ListenBookโs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
East Army
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch โ it's like having a personalized reading. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Gothic Slacker
I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Heavenly Connection
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines โ it's a game-changer. ๐ Unlocking the door to imagination โ this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ๐๐ The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Dorothy Solitaire
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. Effortlessly switching between stories โ this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Classy Dancer
With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education โ it's brilliant! โฐ Waking up to audiobooks โ mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! โ๏ธ๐ง Effortless and enriching โ that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. ๐ฑ๐
Gov Skull
I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
Winter Underdog
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. ๐ถ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls โ this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. ๐ต๐ AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends.
Risen
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection.
Arsenic Coo
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Troublemasher
ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Backstreet
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook is a game-changer โ it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around.
DARK HQ
This app is my travel companion โ making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine โ thank you! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments.
Noisy Girl
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app.
Electric Player
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Pogue
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go โ it's my daily companion. ๐ผ Merging work and pleasure โ audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! ๐ป๐ง Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy. The interface is sleek and modern. Itโs a joy to use. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorโs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsโjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
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