Poetry is not my normal go to. I felt compelled to listen to this audio, narrated by the author. As I listened, I often was stopped in my tracks, moved to tears or laughter or poignant reflection.

I do not watch much television and had not heard of Brandon's rise and subsequent win on AGT, so this was my first taste of his particular spoken word. I am glad to have listened to the audio and had his voice and inflections in his delivery of his art. This was really beautiful. His poems touched on many current topics regarding race and his assessments, there are poems that encompass humanity, spiritual struggles, and life's changes. I really enjoyed hearing his views and feelings as he has a perspective very different from my own. I was going to list my favorite poem titles, but there are too many. A top few are: "A Letter to My Younger Self", "Breonna", "Married People's Poems", "To My Son", & "Black Boy Joy."

I can't wait until this comes out on March 8th when I can read along with his voice. I would highly encourage this to be both audio and physical. I am so thankful to NetGalley and Andrew McNeely Audio, but especially to Brandon Leake for the advance listening copy. I loved it.

If you are in the mood for some deep thoughts, moving words, and poetic narrative, this is just what you need. Brandon talks about issues such as race, politics, family, and faith in a emotional and expressive way. I listened to the audio version of this book, which allowed me to hear Brandon recite his words in there exact way he intended. It was very enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is fantastic! I loved the entire compilation of poems. They are touchable and thoughtful. Quite a few of the topics were ripped right out of today's headlines. There is something to glean from so many of the poems, this book is definitely meant to be read over and over again. I can't sing its praises enough. This was my first reading by this author, and I look forward to reading more of his work.

I never heard of Brandon Leake as I seldomly watch TV. I very much enjoyed his audio of Unraveling. I really enjoyed his flow, his rhythmic, the way he lived his words, his passion was contagious, and I was able to connect with all poems. A beautiful collection of modern poetry, reflective of today's society. A very nice gift idea or coffee table book.

I recommend this to anyone looking for life inspiration or those in love with words.

Thank you Net Galley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this audio ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

Wow, wow, wow. Unraveling is some of the most moving poetry I've read (listened to) in a while. My mind is still ruminating on "Vice Versa" and its line about comparison vs. comparing sin. The changing dynamics of schools in "The Secret Life of Teachers" made my heart ache. And "Mutuality" spoke deeply to my tension with many so-called Christian leaders right now.

I've never watched America's Got Talent, so I went into this book unaware of Brandon Leake's accolades or criticisms, but I'm now a huge fan of his. A few poems mentioned that God had given him this talent with words, and I couldn't say it better myself. Very well composed on a variety of topics.

While I enjoyed hearing the emotion in Leake's voice in the audiobook - the pacing & emphasis were incredible - I also feel like I would enjoy the written, physical copy of the book even more than the audiobook, just so I could sit with the words & reflect on them in a way that's not possible with audio.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for an advance audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t know who Brandon Leake was until Google. I had to Google it because I’m the synopsis it’s says “Brandon Leeks AGT season 15 winner” so to Google I went and I watched a few videos from his seasons. His words are mesmerizing. So I chose to read his book in audio format.

When the book started I felt it was a bit scattered. It was sad, then happy, then love. But towards the end I just became angry. I definitely don’t know what it feels like to be a black male in today’s society. His words against the crimes against the black community made me so upset and furious. Why? Because it’s all true. And I couldn’t imagine having to live life like that.

One thing the stood out to me was Leeks ability to put todays new into word. The audiobook was a great choice because you can hear the conviction in his voice, the pain, anguish, hope and love. It radiate through the speakers and hits you at your core.

It’s a powerful book. It will make you feel in ways you don’t expect to feel. I don’t know if I would have got the same results reading the book but the audiobook was invigorating.

Book 9 of 2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had previously read the e-ARC of this and loved it, but I was really looking forward to hearing the audio version narrated by Brandon Leake himself and it definitely didn’t disappoint!
Brandon Leake is a master poet and I will definitely be looking out for his next release!

One of the best collections of poetry I have read in a long time. Each poem a powerful and emotional ride. I need to read it again.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook advance reader copy. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.

AMAZING!!! Poetry is meant to be spoken, and the author's own reading was absolutely wonderful! His voice is somehow soothing while sharing deep words. I imagine that I will take in the words differently if listening to this multiple times.

I'm not a big poetry fan but I requested this to fulfill a prompt for a reading challenge I take part in. Overall I liked it but found the religious parts to be a bit cringy but that's only because I'm VERY not religious. To each their own, and every author certainly has every right to write whatever is in their hearts but, had I known how much god and Jesus would be referred to, I probably would not have requested this one.

Not everything in this book I liked, but there where some great parts.
I did like that it was read by the author.
But it is hard to go back to something on audio and sometimes the next started too soon while I was still processing the other poetry. So I think it is best enjoyed on paper so you can take the time you need for everything.

I really felt the emotions that were put into these poems. I really enjoyed everyone of them. I loved the audio and how authentic felt with his inflections.

I've been slowly getting into poetry ever since I started taking my creative writing class. Spoken word poetry was one of my favorite things to create and have now found a love for the genre. This book has so many poems about race, love, and humanity. One of my favorite things about spoken word poetry is the fact that the emotion feels so raw that it brings me to tears. The author truly writes some of the best poetry I've ever listen to.
(arc from Netgalley)

"I find peace in my conversations with god but too often times I put him on hold to dialogue with my fears." This was a beautiful and thought-provoking book. I was very grateful to be allowed to listen to this as an audiobook. It felt long, one long beautiful spoken word poem. Brandon's performance indeed left me reflective of what it means to be black—specifically, unravelling all of the facets of existing and navigating through spaces as a black man. Brandon Leake's book was a refreshing poetry book that touches on perfectionism, love, religion, addiction, job insecurity, gender, and masculinity– this book truly unravels black life and navigation. His performance made this book worth a listen. I will be posting a review next month.

Brandon Leake, author of "Unraveling: Poems", no doubt is gifted in turning his deep, heartfelt, expressive thoughts, into poignant vocabulary dripping with emotion, and is most especially noticed and appreciated as he narrates his own poems in the audiobook.

In Unraveling: Poems, his poetry themes include religion, Christ, being black, prejudice, love of family, friends (or rather lack of true friends), injustice.

Leake's poetry is dramatic and intense, yet delivered with smooth elegance. Many of the very last lines of a poem, deliver a "wow moment". Truly, Leake is gifted with word expression, and although I found many of his poems beautiful, full of deep heart-felt spontaneous sentiment, the message(s) of the poet, will speaks (or not) to each individual's heart. I thought it was amazing and unapparelled to anything I have ever seen expressed before in poetry.

5 Stars

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Brandon Leake for an advanced audio copy of this poetry in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.