A review by tanyadillyn
Broken Horses, by Brandi Carlile

4.0

I'm only ever drawn to celebrity memoir when it's a singer-songwriter, for whatever reason, and Brandi always seemed like someone I wanted to know more about. Her story isn't earth-shattering or steeped in trauma, and she grew her career with perseverance and no small amount of luck. I bristled a bit when she started name-dropping legendary performers and producers who helped catapult her, but by the end of the book I felt differently -- mostly thrilled for everything she's done. It felt complete to have a picture of her as a little girl growing into someone with imposter syndrome who still fields phone calls from Elton John and "jams" with Joni Mitchell. Her recount of a phone call with Dolly Parton reads like fan fiction from a kid. I'm charmed, and I'd recommend the audiobook for her cool Southern accent (born & bred in Washington state) and songs at the end of each chapter.