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Broken Horses  By  cover art

Broken Horses

By: Brandi Carlile
Narrated by: Brandi Carlile
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Publisher's summary

Number-one New York Times best seller

The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer, and six-time Grammy winner opens up about a life shaped by music in this candid, heartfelt, and intimate story.

“One of the great memoirs of our time...a gift from Brandi’s soul.” (Glennon Doyle)

“Brandi’s story is about perseverance, humor, forgiveness, and manifestation. I absolutely loved it.” (Elton John)

Broken Horses led me right into Brandi’s heart, and my own.” (Brené Brown)

Brandi Carlile was born into a musically gifted, impoverished family on the outskirts of Seattle and grew up in a constant state of change, moving from house to house, trailer to trailer, 14 times in as many years. Though imperfect in every way, her dysfunctional childhood was as beautiful as it was strange, and as nurturing as it was difficult. At the age of five, Brandi contracted bacterial meningitis, which almost took her life, leaving an indelible mark on her formative years and altering her journey into young adulthood.

As an openly gay teenager, Brandi grappled with the tension between her sexuality and her faith when her pastor publicly refused to baptize her on the day of the ceremony. Shockingly, her small town rallied around Brandi in support and set her on a path to salvation where the rest of the misfits and rejects find it: through twisted, joyful, weird, and wonderful music.

In Broken Horses, Brandi Carlile takes listeners through the events of her life that shaped her very raw art - from her start at a local singing competition where she performed Elton John’s “Honky Cat” in a bedazzled white polyester suit, to her first break opening for Dave Matthews Band, to many sleepless tours over 15 years and six studio albums, all while raising two children with her wife, Catherine Shepherd. This hard-won success led her to collaborations with personal heroes like Elton John, Dolly Parton, Mavis Staples, Pearl Jam, Tanya Tucker, and Joni Mitchell, as well as her peers in the supergroup The Highwomen, and ultimately to the Grammy stage, where she converted millions of viewers into instant fans.

Evocative and piercingly honest, Broken Horses is at once an examination of faith through the eyes of a person rejected by the church’s basic tenets and a meditation on the moments and lyrics that have shaped the life of a creative mind, a brilliant artist, and a genuine empath on a mission to give back.

Carlile recorded new stripped-down, solo renditions of more than 30 of the songs featured in the book, including her own and songs from artists who’ve inspired her, from Dolly Parton to Elton John, Leonard Cohen and more, available exclusively on the audiobook:

“I Don’t Hurt Anymore” by Hank Snow
“Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton
“Ride on Out” by Brandi Carlile
“Honky Cat” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
“Philadelphia” by Neil Young
“Happy” by Brandi Carlile
“That Year” by Brandi Carlile
“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
“Eye of the Needle” by Brandi Carlile
“Turpentine” by Brandi Carlile
“Wasted” by Brandi Carlile
“The Story” by Brandi Carlile
“Closer to You” by Brandi Carlile
“Caroline” by Brandi Carlile
“Josephine” by Brandi Carlile
“Sugartooth” by Brandi Carlile
“Looking Out” by Brandi Carlile
“Beginning to Feel the Years” by Brandi Carlile
“Love Songs” by Brandi Carlile
“I Will” by Brandi Carlile
“I Belong to You” by Brandi Carlile

©2021 Random House Audio (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A vulnerable document.... The resilience of her sense of self, through poverty and fame, is transcendent. One of her great strengths as an artist is a willingness to stare herself straight in the face and not flinch.” (Amanda Hess, The New York Times)

“[Carlile is] perceptive, vulnerable, humble, funny and above all else, a good storyteller. She’d already proven her storytelling chops as a lyricist and she proves them once again in these pages. She knows how to use a few words to make a big impact.... Readers walk away feeling like they know the real Carlile.” (Associated Press)

“Intimate...Carlile's story is too big to fit in a song..... The memoir covers it all with conversational ease.... This pulls the veil back in a way [Carlile] hadn’t done before.” (Vulture)

What listeners say about Broken Horses

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Magnificent

I wept the whole way through this memoir. I wept for the honesty, the mystery, the triumph, the rough times, the exquisite beauty of the music. This book will take it's rightful place among my very favorites.

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Do Yourself A Favor and Listen to this book!

I don't write many reviews, but this book is absolutely Brilliant! I have loved Brandi Carlisle's music for years. I love how she tells her story and sings her songs so you can make connections to her songs I wish I could better articulate how amazing this audio book is. I listened at work, got goosebumps throughout. Do yourself a favor and listen to this book!

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Music alone is worth purchase

A real treat to hear this story in Brandi's voice. She is such a natural story teller; both the poignancy and humor of her journey come shining through. To hear how her heros became colaborators and then friends is so special. I predict this presentation will garner Grammy #7. Best thing I have listened to in a long while, I just want to hang out with them at a campfire.

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Soulful life story

A beautifully told memoir of Brandi Carlile's life as a poor kid who loved to sing and perform, rising to great heights with her music. I truly enjoyed the songs she added to the end of each chapter and loved the bonus chapter at the end with all music! One of the best audible books I've ever listened to.

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Highly recommended

If you love her music, you’ll love this book. Her love, live and guts poured on to the floor. A privilege to read.

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Diamonds

I didn’t know Brandi Carlile before, wow! I loved everything about this book, the music is mesmerizing. Completely in love. Thank you

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A wonderful biography and the extra music was an AMAZING surprise!

I have been a fan of hers since the story came out. And hearing everything about her life really explains why she has so much passion behind the words she sings. Thank you Brandi for sharing your life through music and now this book!

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It’s beautiful and so worth your time!

I loved hearing so many of the stories behind her the songs and it was such a sweet surprise to hear her sing a song or two after each chapter.

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Inspiring memoir from a rising music star who refused to be defeated by poverty & discrimination

Get the Audible version read by Brandi Carlile and interspersed with relevant songs she’s recorded. She wrote this with self-deprecating humor and empathy, even about people who deliberately hurt her. Overcoming poverty, family dysfunction, and hostility in school, Brandi Carlile dropped out of high school and worked her ass off for years to become the Grammy-Award-winning singer, song writer, and human rights activist she is today at age 39. I wish every gay teen who is suffering from family-rejection, discrimination, and/or bullying could hear this book. It could have a dramatic impact on a group with the highest suicide rate in the U.S. I wish the haters could hear this book filled with forgiveness and hope. I’d give Broken Horses ten stars if I could.

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A must read!!!

This definitely is the best book I've ever listened to on Audible. It was amazing that Brandi did the reading. It was so heartfelt and transparent. I laughed I cried and just grew to love Brandi and her family and friends. I couldn't stop listening and now I'm sad that I'm done. You will enjoy this guaranteed!!!

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