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Broken Horses

A Memoir

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Broken Horses

By: Brandi Carlile
Narrated by: Brandi Carlile
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About this listen

 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, fourteen 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 readers 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 fifteen 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
“That Wasn’t Me” by Brandi Carlile
“The Mother” by Brandi Carlile
“The Stranger at My Door” by Brandi Carlile
“Heroes and Songs” by Brandi Carlile
“Murder in the City” by The Avett Brothers
“Party of One” by Brandi Carlile
“The Joke” by Brandi Carlile
“Hold You Dear” by The Secret Sisters
“Bring My Flowers Now” by Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker
“Your Song” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin Entertainment & Celebrities Music Women Celebrity Memoir Heartfelt Witty

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

“I thought I knew Brandi through her music and friendship, but I didn’t truly know her until I finished the last page of Broken Horses. I don’t think I truly knew myself until I finished the last page of Broken Horses. I read much of it with my palms sweating, heart swelling, tears falling. This book is a gift from Brandi’s soul to the reader’s. Broken Horses will go down as one of the great memoirs of our time.”—Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed

“I fell in love with Brandi’s voice, and then serendipity took over and I fell in love with the artist, the writer, and the woman. I believe we were fated to be true soul mates. Reading this book confirms my love and respect for her. If anyone ever has a doubt in their mind that the wildest of dreams can be realized from complicated circumstances, they should read Brandi’s story. It is about perseverance, humor, forgiveness, and manifestation. I absolutely loved it.”—Elton John, author of Me

“A good storyteller tells you about their life. A great storyteller guides you so deep into their heart that you actually end up seeing yourself. Brandi is one of the most gifted and generous storytellers of our time. Broken Horses led me right into Brandi’s heart, and my own.”—Brené Brown, author of Daring Greatly

“An intimate, life-affirming look at a musician whose artistic journey is far from over.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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Most relevant
I am a huge fan of Brandi from her first CD and have followed her career wondering for years how the world hadn’t discovered her talent passion and artistic beauty! I am so glad she and the twins got their Grammy moment to shine I selfishly felt a little sad at losing being part of this “secret “ musical carpet ride.. the signed cds limited edition tshirts posters etc but I just feel proud that someone whose music had touched my life got to finally be seen by some many more . We need artists like Brandi and the twins and all the amazing people who still believe in the value of music and how important it is n people lives , how it can heal and help and leave a mark. I read this book and was blown away at Brandi’s personal story and loved having the insight to her thoughts and feelings because it just made me admire and respect her more. The. My friend sent me this audible copy as a gift as I am unwell and I spent the last two days listening. What a gift to not only hear her words in her own voice but to add all the musical moments just blew my heart wide open ! This is the first audible book I ever listened to and I’m not sure it will ever be beaten … I could not recommend it more and am so grateful to have had this time to listen and understand why I love their music , its human connection and it’s in my heart forever 🙏🏻 thanks Brandi I hope you make it to Melbourne one day I had tickets and hoped to finally see you live … that’s the dream … Andy 🌈❤️

Heartfelt Genius

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An incredibly beautiful and raw story that allows the outside world to experience another’s heart, life, experiences, dreams and emotional struggles. The author’s love for God is felt throughout as is her passion for music and her delight for those who’s music has touched her, leaving their mark on her life. Brandi Carlisle tells her story not unlike lyrics that capture the listener both in poetic imagery and melodic tune. You can’t help but feel moved, to feel an embrace with God and others that inspire you to want to do the same. Maybe not as a musician but as a human being longing to connect and in doing so, experience more of the depth I believe we were created for. God’s heart shines from within her.

Beautiful

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Why on earth would you buy the hard copy of the book, when you can get a whole work of art in this audio recording? To have Brandi sing after each chapter, songs that you know and love, brings more meaning and layers to them. I feel to privileged to be given such an amazing gift.

What a work of art

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Such an interesting story, so beautifully told, and the inclusion of the songs was magical! Loved it!

Absolutely loved it!

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Some books read by their authors sound like they're read off the copy. Not this one. It feels as if she's talking directly to you, like as if you're sitting there at one of those Joni nights with Brandi sitting on the floor, leaning against an armchair, face illuminated by a crackling fire in the hearth.
The bonus (compared to a regular book) is the musical performances, instead of just lyrics.

An intimate conversation

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