Unraveling

"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.

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.

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.