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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 This wasn‘t on my radar until I saw @Billypar post about it, but I really enjoyed it. I knew very little about Brandi Carlile before reading it, but enjoyed getting to know her, her family, and collaborators.

#AuldLangSpine @JamieArc @monalyisha
Brandi Carlisle wrote her memoir in 2020 during the pandemic, but it happens to be a soul-soothing book for the soul-sucking political crisis underway in the U.S right now. She has a gift for setting the scene of each part of her story, and her advocacy for LGBTQ rights is inspiring and urgent as ever. I loved hearing how she connected with her childhood idol, Elton John, and now they've got an album coming 👇

This was an interesting read. She is at times very humble and aware of her privilege, and other times an indulgent rock star, name-dropping like crazy. She talks about some of her mental health struggles with some detail, then says she had a session with someone and got right on stage. She talks about sharing bedrooms and waiting at has stations, then she has a huge house big enough for multiple families. A good read but a bit of whiplash at times

#TuesdayTunes

While listening to this memoir the last few weeks I kept thinking about the fact that I actually became a Brandi Carlile fan because my bff and I went to an Indigo Girls concert at a tiny venue in Main somewhere during their Despite our Differences tour, and she was their opening act. And while I liked her set, what actually captured me and got me to buy her cd and go back and listen to her music more carefully was that she sang ⬇️

There were definitely moments in her life that I connected with, but in many ways for all her celebrity, this is just the story of a life. I would really recommend this (especially on audio) for people who are already fans of her music. Because what really struck me here, was hearing the stories behind songs I already knew well, and listening to her sing the songs she‘d just been discussing writing and performing at the end of each chapter.

“I'm in bed with my wife, Catherine, and
our two little girls with their sweet-smelling heads snuggled between us.” #firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

It‘s well time I began my BC education since we got bucket list tickets to her concert at Red Rocks. I really enjoyed getting to know her and some of the stories behind her music. I‘m also a bit jealous of her. She worked hard for it, but she‘s totally living the dream. Bonus for the audiobook is the addition of her singing between chapters, and the entire last hour and a half. 🎶🎵

I have loved Carlile's music for a long time. This was a beautifully written look into the artist's life.

Bonus: I had no clue that she sang on the audiobook!

#NonfictionNovember

After the disaster that was Hitler‘s Girl, it was a pleasure to finish Brandi Carlile‘s lovely memoir. Virginia Grohl seems to be correct — the education system does not know how to handle creative people. Brandi‘s story is that of another musician who did not do well in school. Listen to this book — do not read it! Brandi sings throughout and there is a bonus musical chapter. The top right picture is my empty office; I‘m now retired. #audiowalk

It‘s Grammy night so it seems like a good time to review this. I really enjoyed listening to Brandi Carlisle‘s story. My favorite part was about when she was first trying to make it in music. The audiobook is the way to go bc she sings at the end of each chapter. Some are her songs but most are covers.

When I get a new Brandi Carlile record, I listen to it on repeat and let her lyrics and music consume me. The book did this over the course of today. I‘m biased, but this memoir was incredible… living in a compound with your friends and bandmates almost seems normal now.

Thank you Brandi for your story and your advice. I love your songs and their honesty, I cry every time I see you live and this book was impossible to put down.

I became a fan of Brandi Carlile when I heard "The Story" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy and had to find out who it was. I've been hooked on her music ever since. This memoir follows her musical journey, including origin stories for many of her songs. It also explores her unique childhood and the relationships that have formed her since. She's a reflective, spiritual soul. I really enjoyed her writing. It was my June #Bookspin. @TheAromaofBooks

Book 31 for 2022 done. I LOVED this book. I knew absolutely nothing about Brandi before buying this audio book, I had just read about it on a bunch of different lists for best audio book for 2021. I bought it last year and promptly forgot about it. It is AMAZING! I wish I had read it sooner. I am now a huge fan of hers. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

So fantastic on audible!

I have only heard The Story and The Joke, so I went into this memoir barely knowing Brandi Carlile‘s music. But I knew this was supposed to be a good memoir, and it did not disappoint! A very beautiful story of growing up and finding identity. In the audiobook she interspersed songs, so it was really pleasant to listen to.

I heard “The Story” when it came out in 2007, but I didn‘t really become aware of Brandi Carlile until I saw her perform “The Joke” on the 2019 Grammys. Since then her music has been played regularly at our house. I really enjoyed listening to Brandi‘s story so far and the stories behind many of her songs. As others have stated, audio is the best way to go as she performs the songs acoustically at the end of each chapter. Also, please see ⬇️

I listened to the audio version & I have only one complaint. While the songs she sings on the audio are nice, they are nothing like listening to the twins & the band singing & playing along with her. I think it‘s really important that you check out her videos on YouTube. This version is a stunner and I heard her sing it live at a Bernie Sanders campaign event just as beautifully. https://youtu.be/KJqL1yIm9e0.

I‘m so glad she wrote this book.

#fffs
What a wonderful box full of books, crafts, warm socks, bookmarks- Thank you so much for your generosity! @WanderingBookaneer I am so excited! 🤍💜💕

#theyearofthememoir
Brandi Carlile‘s song “The Story” transports me back to my early days in college and feelings at the time. I love that song but haven‘t kept up much with her since. Turns out she‘s got quite an interesting life story (so far) and I loved hearing her perform the songs following each chapter of the audiobook. Audio is certainly the way to go, but I was lucky enough to get to read the physical book as well—there‘s lots of photos!

Book 77 I wasn't familiar with her music, and I'm not a country music fan, but I enjoyed this book.She's is authentic, not ostentatious, and much wiser than her age. She speaks about her nomadic childhood, her experiences with religion as a gay person, her drive to make a place for women in her field, and everything in between.She sings throughout, which initially felt awkward, but it was neat to hear her music after learning her stories.4⭐s

Other Littens have said it and I agree: the #audiobook edition is a great way to experience Brandi Carlile‘s memoir. She not only reads her words, but sings songs between chapters. The acoustic music is also compiled like an album at the end of the book. Carlile‘s ability to see grace even in her most difficult times is impressive and inspiring. #LGBTQ

Singing and vocalizing in general create X-ray levels of emotional exposure.

When you're told your whole life that it's wrong for two women or men to marry, when your homeland agrees, and when you realize that you believe it too, deep within your primitive senses, a reckoning is imperative. It's a process, but it's mandatory, whether you're LGBTQ or not. A person's self-worth is dictated by what inalienable rights are allowed to them. The right to not live your life alone is a big one.

I have been a fan of Carlile‘s music for years and I loved everything about the book. I was especially drawn to the passages where Carlile tries to reconcile with her faith. I highly recommend the audiobook in which Carlile sings some of the songs featured in the book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Same, Brandi Carlile. Same.

This is a must-listen memoir with songs between chapters and at the end. Brandi Carlile is one of my favorite singers but there is so much I didn't know, and she has experienced some incredible moments of fate or destiny or something that really make for an incredible story. I also my liked the discovery of the stories behind so many of these songs and albums. The story goes all the way up through covid times.

Holy shit that was a good book. Here‘s what I love about memoirs: they are written by the living, therefore, because the end is not set in stone yet, they are almost always hopeful. I have loved Brandi Carlile since I was a confused queer college kid (who could not yet embrace being queer). Turns out her music still moves me to tears. Do yourself a favor and get the audiobook!

❤️❤️❤️

The first thing I remember about the day I woke from my coma is something about a sunrise. I've been fascinated with them for most of my life. Not enough to wake up early to enjoy them, but on those few occasions when I have, I've been reminded what a miracle it is that they happen every day, regardless of the one before.

Barely knew of this musician but listened to it after a tough semester of grad courses and loved it. Highly recommend the audio version, with the artist reading her own book and singing selected songs between chapters, this made it special, more personal and more real.

This is one of my favorite memoir listening experiences ever. Really deep and emotional but also funny and full of cool details about her songs and career. I got chills or choked up many, many times, during both her narration and her gorgeous acoustic versions of SO many songs. She‘s just a very beautiful and open-hearted person, and we‘re lucky to have her and her artistry.

Brandi lives on the other side of the town we live in. She‘s one of those down to earth people that you bump into at the grocery store or the nursery. It‘s been a great ride to watch the local girl make it big. Her memoir doesn‘t disappoint and makes you love her more with her honesty and authenticity.

🚨 Attention fellow Brandi lovers: there are song performances on this audiobook! So many of them! Covers and originals! Seemingly new versions! I‘m only 20% in but LOVING every second so far. 😍

I am overcome. And it‘s SIGNED. *swoon*

I love her music!

Release date: April 6, 2021