Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for an audio arc of Ten Bridges I've Burnt by Brontez Purcell. Brontez is a queer poet who wrote his autobiography in verses. It’s beautiful, funny, raw, and honest. This audiobook is read by the author. I look forward to reading more by this author. This book came out 2/13. - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is what I love most about poetry. It's rich, it's personal, it's funny, it's beautiful. Sit down and devour this in one sitting or take it piece by piece and sit with it. Either way, you're going to love it.

I loved TEN BRIDGES I’VE BURNT: A Memoir in Verse by Brontez Purnell! I was so excited to read this and I loved it so much I read it twice! I first read this ARC copy a few months ago and then listened to it on audio last week read by the author. I loved the idea of a memoir told through poems. I loved the humour, honesty, boldness and joy! Within these 38 poems Purnell shares his experiences from being born in Athens, Alabama, to graduating from UC Berkeley, to self love and TV writing. I loved all the poems and my faves are Rage of Every Color, Tommy Chin, On Writing, and I Am Decided. This is one of my favourite books of 2024!

Brontez is blunt and raw. It's so in-your-face that I feel like a voyeur. It's interesting and occasionally offensive. I can only stand to listen to little bits at a time and not at certain times.

It's brutal and pornographic. I'm entranced and horrified.

We wouldn't be friends. I'm too white for him. I feel ashamed to be listening to his secrets.

His voice is clear and understandable on the audio.

Thank you to Netgalley, High Bridge Audio, and Brontez Purnell for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This might be my favorite book of 2024 thus far.

This short book is a gorgeous memoir, told in prose and lyrical narration, exploring specific moments, reflections and observations by Brontez Purnell of being queer and Black in the U.S.

His commentary was pointed, funny and often acknowledged a hard truth, while simultaneously making a hysterical joke or a completely flippant observation. I loved the dichotomy that was present in almost every sentence, if not in every scene. I found myself relistening to sections over and over, and I really appreciated hearing the story read by the author. I’m definitely going to buy the paperback as well so I can reread my favorite verses and phrases.

There are so many great quotes and moments but I particularly liked this one:

“I violently refute the unspoken cultural assumption that I, a promiscuous gay man and toxic ass bachelor, should etch unmarried and childless on my tombstone because I have been a damn good husband to myself and spent my best years raising all my friends.”

I recommend listening to the audiobook for this one as it's a memoir narrated by the actual author! I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Though it was among the shorter of books I've listened to/read, I feel like I've developed an understanding of what Brontez is like and what he's been through. I really enjoyed this. Thank you NetGalley for the arc <3

I flew through this audiobook! I felt like I was reading Brontez’ diary and had the perfect insight on his life. Brontez has a great sense of humor and I found myself laughing many times throughout each verse! Thanks so much for the early release!

Thank you to Net Galley and Farrar, Straus & Giroux for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed these poems. The author has the gift of writing in such a way that feels natural, as if a friend is having a conversation with you. The poems are beautiful, raw, honest and revealing as if innermost secrets are being divulged. These poems are autobiographical that deal with being Black and Queer, family issues, his job as a writer in entertainment, sex and intimacy. I listened to this audio, and the Author is the voice reading which makes it even more personal!

I don't always get poetry, and I'm not sure I really understood the whole thing. This poetry collection is unique, though, because it's also a memoir and it seemed really honest.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

The audiobook felt like a long-distance phone call with a that one hilarious friend whose life is decidedly more exciting than yours. Read by the author Brontez Purnell, who is charmingly candid, this poetic mini memoir is significant and should be celebrated. Despite their wicked wit and sparkling confidence, I recognized underneath it all the same fears and insecurities that haunt me. I will be talking about this book for a while.

Thank you to Brontez Purnell for the experience and NetGalley for the ARC.

I'm not a poetry expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I really enjoyed Purnell's "memoir in verse." It reads like a diary, with topics ranging from race, sexual identity, and the everyday struggles that we all encounter. I enjoyed these small vignettes into his life, and there are some beautiful passages that made me pause and think, "wow, I love the way he explained that." Clearly, Brontez Purnell has a way with words.

I also love that he was the narrator for this audiobook. I always find it extra special when the writer narrates their own book because we get to hear exactly how the author intended his words to sound. He really made this collection come to life and while short, I feel like I got to learn more about him in this way.

Thank you to Highbridge Audio and NetGalley for this ARC!

Brontez Purnell’s memoir will appeal to fans of Samantha Irby, Kiese Laymon, and others who have written memoirs with a humorous edge. My library will absolutely be purchasing and promoting this book.

Fantastic! I have been a fan of this author for a long time and this memoir did not disappoint. It's wholly original and something different, yet deeply relatable.

AHHHHHHHHHH! Another five stars to kick off Black History Month!!!! LET'S GO!
I am so thankful to MCD Books, Highbridge Audio, Brontez Purnell, and Netgalley for granting me early Audio access to this energetically sexy memoir before it hits shelves on February 13, 2024.

I am a fan of memoirs in verse formatting because they are always spunky and fun but lightweight and breezy at the same time. Readers and Listeners hear about Brontez's fiery ambitions and daily life living in the city as a gay black man looking for love and success. I laughed and laughed out loud for the duration of the book, because this man sure does know how to write and I'm so excited for his achievements to come.