Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart (Soul Hex Anthem Vocal).
Look, I am sorry, but autism isn't a punishment from God. It's not easy, but it's not a punishment. Folks need to stop having this kind of attitude. It just hurts autistic people.
How are they supposed to feel knowing people think they are a punishment? Then again, I feel bad about her background. Mine was similar but at least i could wear pants. I would have been so MISERABLE if they made me wear dresses all the time. People's view of God is warped.
I'm not even sure if he exists, but Look, I am sorry, but autism isn't a punishment from God. It's not easy, but it's not a punishment.
Folks need to stop having this kind of attitude. It just hurts autistic people. How are they supposed to feel knowing people think they are a punishment? Then again, I feel bad about her background. Mine was similar but at least i could wear pants.
I would have been so MISERABLE if they made me wear dresses all the time. People's view of God is warped. I'm not even sure if he exists, but their version of God tends to be so mean. And anyway autism is something to be worked with and understood. NOT a punishment. I'm a huge fan of celebrity memoirs, especially if the author discloses parts of their life that aren't very well known, and Braxton's confessions were interesting and heart-breaking.
While I've always loved her voice, I've never been what you would call a fan so haven't really followed her career except what what was publicized about her bankruptcies and health issues. In this book I found her path to independence and self-awareness to be inspiring. I'm now off to check out her latest album and I'm a huge fan of celebrity memoirs, especially if the author discloses parts of their life that aren't very well known, and Braxton's confessions were interesting and heart-breaking. While I've always loved her voice, I've never been what you would call a fan so haven't really followed her career except what what was publicized about her bankruptcies and health issues. In this book I found her path to independence and self-awareness to be inspiring.
I'm now off to check out her latest album and find a few Braxton Family Values episodes to watch. UnBreak My Heart A Memoir Toni Braxton Toni Braxton the oldest of six siblings and a six-time Grammy award winner, American R&B singer and song writer. This is Toni’s first book a memoir ( UnBreak My Heart), giving her fans and the entire world a chance to really get a gaze into who she really is as a women, mother, wife, sister and artist. This book gives Toni the opportunity to share her story of her childhood, spirituality and the highs / lows of the music industry. Toni describes her ch UnBreak My Heart A Memoir Toni Braxton Toni Braxton the oldest of six siblings and a six-time Grammy award winner, American R&B singer and song writer. This is Toni’s first book a memoir ( UnBreak My Heart), giving her fans and the entire world a chance to really get a gaze into who she really is as a women, mother, wife, sister and artist.
This book gives Toni the opportunity to share her story of her childhood, spirituality and the highs / lows of the music industry. Toni describes her childhood somewhat of like the Jackson 5 as it relates to music. In this book Toni talks about heartache, guilt, family, growing (experiences and people who helped groom her along the way), spirituality /religion and finding the courage to heal and BREATHE AGAIN. Although, we are fairly familiar with the media’s outlook of Toni Braxton; this book explains her personal journey through life. Having read this book in a matter of three days, I enjoyed the transparency birthed through the pages of this book.
The process of writing this book was simply life-changing for Toni, and the need to clarify rumors and misconceptions. Toni shares her desires of music and even her thoughts of retiring. I mostly appreciated the approach in which Toni had this book written, which was to give her fans and readers a TRUE account of her life. Although, writing this book involves her family; not once does she expose anything to make her family and friends seem condemning; but yet giving HER perspective of HER feelings about her life experiences then and now.
What I learned from this book: UnBreak My Heart To purchase the book click here:—— (UnBreak My Heart) 1.Take Care of YOU before you Take Care of others.When loving those around us; it’s not our job to CARRY people even FAMILY. This doesn’t dismiss our love for them.
2.Knowing when to have a VOICE – speak up and speak out. 3.When Love comes, accept it with open arms, mind, spirit and soul it healthy to our being. 4.Despite life’s experiences good or bad you learn to BREATHE AGAIN 5.UnBreak Your Heart/ Breathe Again. I generally have three categories for memoirs, biographies and autobiographies. Guarded, open and no-holds-barred.
I would put this in the guarded category. I always have hopes that memoirs would go beyond the headlines. If one is somewhat familiar with Toni Braxton, you heard about the bankruptcies, and health issues.
I was hoping for more depth on financial issues, although she did reveal she won the lawsuit against her record company, and walked away with $20 million. Part of the settlement w I generally have three categories for memoirs, biographies and autobiographies. Guarded, open and no-holds-barred. I would put this in the guarded category. I always have hopes that memoirs would go beyond the headlines. If one is somewhat familiar with Toni Braxton, you heard about the bankruptcies, and health issues.
I was hoping for more depth on financial issues, although she did reveal she won the lawsuit against her record company, and walked away with $20 million. Part of the settlement was she had to remain silent for 10 years, so many may not know that she received such a huge sum. She never delved into her role that allegedly broke up the basketball Dallas Mavericks, at the time it was reported that she was having an affair with two of the starters and a third had an interest in her as well. It was a major story amongst basketball fans.
She went nowhere near that explosive rumor. In fact, she was quite guarded about her romantic life, which I guess is understandable. She was very open about growing up in a religious household and the resulting damage to her psyche. The early chapters could serve as a cautionary tale for those parents who indoctrinate their children into religiousness often leaving the children confused and scared. Her parents joined a highly restrictive church when she was 7, members could wear only dresses, and hats were required to cover heads and feet couldn't be exposed. So when the Bishop of the church told her she couldn't wear the clogs her father had brought for her, in the church, because her heel was exposed, her 'joy was eclipsed by fear; apparently the God of the universe would send me to eternal damnation in a blazing inferno for something as minor as an exposed heel.
That's how I began connecting religion, God and church with judgment, anxiety, and guilt.' And this anxiety would haunt her for years.
She allowed herself to believe birthing an autistic child and her own diagnoses of Lupus was God's way of punishing her for having an abortion years earlier. 'My view of God as a chastising tyrant rather than as a compassionate father was formed long before I lived through any of these heartaches. God isn't in those four walls, and sometimes just being back in a sanctuary makes me feel as condemned as I did as a girl.'
The early chapters are the most compelling probably because the formative years of her life have been the least exposed to media. So it feels revealing to the reader as she recounts her puerility. As she grows into adulthood we are given less depth to her life journey, and this reticence harms the overall effectiveness of what could have been a great book. However, I still think it's a good book and quick read which many will ultimately find delightful. As a long-time fan of Toni Braxton, I was pleasantly surprised to find this. I have to say, this memoir was very well-written, well-organized and well-paced, especially when compared to others. I was only about 8 or 9 when I first heard her music and it brings back vivid childhood memories every time I hear her songs.
'You're Making Me High' and 'Let It Flow' came out at such an impressionable time in my life and it was so interesting and entertaining to read about the songwriting process for th As a long-time fan of Toni Braxton, I was pleasantly surprised to find this. I have to say, this memoir was very well-written, well-organized and well-paced, especially when compared to others. I was only about 8 or 9 when I first heard her music and it brings back vivid childhood memories every time I hear her songs. 'You're Making Me High' and 'Let It Flow' came out at such an impressionable time in my life and it was so interesting and entertaining to read about the songwriting process for the former. What an 11-year-old was doing listening and singing along to the uber-sensual lyrics of 'You're Making Me High' has my head spinning, but it's really not that much different from a child these days listening to the provocative lyrics of 99% of today's songs.
Ah, childhood! And even though we are a couple of decades apart and grew up in seemingly different households, I can relate to her relationship with her parents and her upbringing hits very close to home. Loved reading about her experience with LaFace in the early days - I've always looked up to Babyface and L.A. Reid but never was able to put a personality with the name. Overall, a very interesting read and a raw peek into the life of one of the 90s' greatest r&b singers. I've like Toni Braxton's singing for years.
I love her voice, that deep throaty sound and the torch song type of singing. I class her with singers like Phyllis Hymen, Natalie Cole, and Jean Carn. So, I looked forward to reading this autobiography.
I enjoyed the read. It was detailed enough to give me some real insight into who Toni Braxton, the singer and woman, really is. It shatters many myths and fantasies people have about the lives of celebrities. This account made her human, normal, and fl I've like Toni Braxton's singing for years. I love her voice, that deep throaty sound and the torch song type of singing. I class her with singers like Phyllis Hymen, Natalie Cole, and Jean Carn.
So, I looked forward to reading this autobiography. I enjoyed the read. It was detailed enough to give me some real insight into who Toni Braxton, the singer and woman, really is. It shatters many myths and fantasies people have about the lives of celebrities. This account made her human, normal, and flawed as we all are in different ways.
That's a good thing in today's disturbing culture of celebrity worship. The conversational first person narrative lent a more realistic and intimate touch. It felt like she was talking to the reader over a cup of tea.or coffee.
The only thing I noticed in the negative was the editing could have been better. But all in all it was a satisfactory read. MY GRADE: B This was a quick read, less than 300 pages. While I'm not a fan of Toni's music, I am a huge fan of her family's reality show, B raxton Family Values that's on We TV. Toni opens up about her two bankruptcies, lupus, Autism, cosmetic surgeries, and other personal matters. She grew up in Severn, MD (my home state) with deeply religious parents, her mother more so than the father, it seems. She's grown up to feel guilty about things she shouldn't and seems to harbor a small amount of animo MY GRADE: B This was a quick read, less than 300 pages.
While I'm not a fan of Toni's music, I am a huge fan of her family's reality show, B raxton Family Values that's on We TV. Toni opens up about her two bankruptcies, lupus, Autism, cosmetic surgeries, and other personal matters. She grew up in Severn, MD (my home state) with deeply religious parents, her mother more so than the father, it seems. She's grown up to feel guilty about things she shouldn't and seems to harbor a small amount of animosity because of it. What I've learned about Toni is that she's terrible with money but wants us to believe that's not the case. She's terrible at using birth control too. She's been generous with her family financially and I wonder how much.
She didn't get into that much but I'm curious. She never talked about how angry she is/was toward her cheating father or if she ever was. Odd not to mention it.
I've never been a fan of her mother, Evelyn (especially since she threatened to 'slap the piss' out of Tamar), and after learning that her mother always reminded Toni to not 'forget about your sisters' since Toni got a record deal at 23 and her sister's didn't, I like her even less. And she had the nerve to seem angry when Toni got the deal. I've always had the feeling, and I don't know why, that Toni has financially supported her mother after her separation, then divorce, from her husband. I'm intrigued by the fact that Evelyn's 'guarded' about her own childhood. At a young age, she moved from the south to live with an aunt in Maryland.
I wish Toni had opened up a bit more about some things but overall this was a good, mostly honest book about her entire life. FYI- my favorite!
I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Couldn't put the book down;took me less than a week to finish the book. She was honest;she confirmed the nose and boob jobs. She's been through a lot and I love her perseverance. She fully explained her 2 bankrupties;I can relate.
After reading this book, I realized how cut-throat the business side of music really is. I was once an aspiring singer, so reading about her experiences was a real eye-opener. She didn't delve too much about her marriage and divorce to Mr. Lewis, and I can Great read! Couldn't put the book down;took me less than a week to finish the book. She was honest;she confirmed the nose and boob jobs. She's been through a lot and I love her perseverance.
She fully explained her 2 bankrupties;I can relate. After reading this book, I realized how cut-throat the business side of music really is.
I was once an aspiring singer, so reading about her experiences was a real eye-opener. She didn't delve too much about her marriage and divorce to Mr.
Lewis, and I can respect that. I've always been a big fan of Toni Braxton.
I wish her the best! She's both a great entertainer and human being. Love her, love her!!! Toni Braxton hasn't had an easy life. From her up bringing and attending church almost every day, to two bankruptcy, a son who has autism, and her Lupus disease. In her memoir, Toni opens up about all of this and how she has overcome and rebuilt her life.
The oldest child, Toni help tended to her younger siblings, and at a very young age, her parents decided they would all be attending church, as her parents bounced from one church to another, Toni didn't fit into their religion of wearing dress Toni Braxton hasn't had an easy life. From her up bringing and attending church almost every day, to two bankruptcy, a son who has autism, and her Lupus disease. In her memoir, Toni opens up about all of this and how she has overcome and rebuilt her life. The oldest child, Toni help tended to her younger siblings, and at a very young age, her parents decided they would all be attending church, as her parents bounced from one church to another, Toni didn't fit into their religion of wearing dresses everyday, speaking in tongues, she long to dance to her own beat of the drum. Even though she didn't fit in with her parents beliefs, she didn't realize they were installing values, morals, and teaching her to stand on her own to feet, making her a strong woman who she is today. She talks about how the record company only wanted her and not her sisters, how her parents disapproved of this, how her sisters in later life expected her to help them have a career in the limelight.
She explains how she came about to having to file bankruptcy and how her record label and tour wouldn't help her when she went on tour with Kenny G. How the banks sent in inspectors and took her five Grammy's because they were classified as assets. She lost the rights to many of her songs, but was able to keep the rights to one of her most popular songs, 'Unbreak My Heart'. She talks about how she didn't let all of that bring her down, in fact it made her want to work harder, little did she know at the time her health would play a huge part in her life from here on out.
While performing on Broadway, Braxton passes out and she is transported to the hospital, there they find out she has a heart problem, however this wasn't the only problem she had. Upon further testing the results came back, Toni Braxton has Lupus.
In true Toni Braxton fashion, she learned everything she could about her disease in which will be a part of her life for as long as she remains on earth. She talks about working with the Lupus Chapter and how she enjoys working with other women who have this disease. I’m a huge fan of Braxton Family Values and remember playing Toni’s sophomore album, Secrets to no end until the CD was all scratched up.
Tamar’s first 2 albums were also in heavy rotation upon release. I’ve known a bit about their story but it was great to get more insight from the perspective of the eldest Braxton child. I thought it was revealing yet tasteful but felt like the tone of the book was a bit guarded and mechanical.
I wish it was a bit more personable and down-to-earth which is why I’m a huge fan of Braxton Family Values and remember playing Toni’s sophomore album, Secrets to no end until the CD was all scratched up. Tamar’s first 2 albums were also in heavy rotation upon release. I’ve known a bit about their story but it was great to get more insight from the perspective of the eldest Braxton child. I thought it was revealing yet tasteful but felt like the tone of the book was a bit guarded and mechanical. I wish it was a bit more personable and down-to-earth which is why I didn’t give it 5 stars. I've always been a huge fan of Toni Braxton, and I've definitely always respected her talent.
The first time I heard the Boomerang Soundtrack, I kept wondering who is this chick? I loved her short haircut and she was cute and appeared to have it going on, but as I always say, you never truly know what anyone is 'truly' going through. This was an outstanding memoir on so many levels. I loved the fact that she broke it down about her bankruptcy mishaps, and how she ended up that way two times, whic I've always been a huge fan of Toni Braxton, and I've definitely always respected her talent. The first time I heard the Boomerang Soundtrack, I kept wondering who is this chick?
I loved her short haircut and she was cute and appeared to have it going on, but as I always say, you never truly know what anyone is 'truly' going through. This was an outstanding memoir on so many levels. I loved the fact that she broke it down about her bankruptcy mishaps, and how she ended up that way two times, which for her sake, I pray that second was her last.
She has two adorable sons, Denim and Diezel, and she reveals how she and her then husband, Keri Lewis, came up with those names-pretty interesting stuff. She had a strong religious upbringing and although her parents had six children, with Toni being the first, most of the mistakes that may have been made, were made on her.
There was one statement she made that really said it all about where Toni's mindset is today. 'I'm only responsible for myself and my children. Due to her formative years, Mrs. Braxton, Toni's mom, made some rather unfair demands on her which she carried throughout her life, and which, I believe, is the root for a great deal of the issues she later faced. Her parents weren't perfect, but there was a great deal of psychological damage already in the making. The funny thing is, from the moment she popped on the R&B scene back in the early 90s, I always sensed a sadness about her, and after having read her life story, I see why that is.
She's done a lot of growing up and has learned some rather hard valuable lessons along the way. Toni is finally thinking about 'Toni' and not worrying about her sisters' lives or their trying to make claim to fame. This book is all about Toni and how life's bumpy ride impacted her. She set the record straight on many of the media's inappropriate mishandling of her life.
I love Toni and I'm so glad Babyface got her to do a new album and she's singing and, for the first time in a very long time, is happy with herself! This was an awesome read, and one I'm sure any memoir fans will adore. Worth every penny and the pics in the Kindle version were great! I understand that everyone wants to write a book and get their story told, but some people should just leave it alone. I say this as my first sentence to this review because Toni Braxton should leave the storytelling to celebrities who actually want to share something the public does not already know.
If you watch Braxton Family Values or have the internet, then this book will be a complete snoozefest for you. On a bright note, it was neat that I knew of some of places Toni talked about during he I understand that everyone wants to write a book and get their story told, but some people should just leave it alone.
I say this as my first sentence to this review because Toni Braxton should leave the storytelling to celebrities who actually want to share something the public does not already know. If you watch Braxton Family Values or have the internet, then this book will be a complete snoozefest for you. On a bright note, it was neat that I knew of some of places Toni talked about during her childhood since I currently live near her hometown. There was nothing technically wrong with Unbreak My Heart, except the fact that it was boring. The general public already knew about her bankruptcies and all of that stuff, but what I wanted was the juicy stuff like what happened between Jason Kidd, Jimmy Jackson, and her. The best thing I can say about Unbreak My Heart is that it was fast to read. DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of Unbreak My Heart in exchange for an honest review.
Imagine our individual lives as separate houses. You knock on the front door of Toni Braxton's life. She opens the door with a smile, invites you in for a brief visit in the living room. She then leaves to prepare a setting of sun brewed iced tea and butter cookies. When she comes back, she suggests that we sit outside on the front porch comforted by the warm summer breeze created from the shade of the tall oak trees dressing the manicured lawn. The conversation is continued with intimate feelin Imagine our individual lives as separate houses.
You knock on the front door of Toni Braxton's life. She opens the door with a smile, invites you in for a brief visit in the living room.
She then leaves to prepare a setting of sun brewed iced tea and butter cookies. When she comes back, she suggests that we sit outside on the front porch comforted by the warm summer breeze created from the shade of the tall oak trees dressing the manicured lawn. The conversation is continued with intimate feelings, and without crudeness. She gives enough to make the reader understand that she too with all her infamy and accomplishments is also very human, and feels, bleeds, suffers, and triumphs just as the rest of us. If you're looking for a dripping, drama filled tell-all memoir, look somewhere else. This memoir has true heart that has been broken, and unbroken again.
I didn't realize there was a superstar that I had so much in common with. Very inspiring.
Heartwarming read! I first decided to read this book because I have learned more about Tony on Braxton Family Values. I have come to love some of her sisters and dislike one of them therefore I wanted to know a bit more about her life but most of all I come from a family of five kids, one boy and four girls so watching the show I related to them so much and I related to Tony even more because in many ways I am the Tony of my family. Now that I have read it I could honestly say that you won't be d Heartwarming read! I first decided to read this book because I have learned more about Tony on Braxton Family Values. I have come to love some of her sisters and dislike one of them therefore I wanted to know a bit more about her life but most of all I come from a family of five kids, one boy and four girls so watching the show I related to them so much and I related to Tony even more because in many ways I am the Tony of my family.
Now that I have read it I could honestly say that you won't be disappointed. It's beautifully written book. Posted originally on my blog: Whenever you begin reading a celebrity memoir, you can never be sure what the pages will hold. Some are so scandalous that you can’t help but keep reading.
And then there are classy confessions like the ones Toni Braxton makes in this book. Everything about this book is handled with care and what seems like genuine honesty. There’s not a time that I felt Braxton used this as a means to exaggerate events or even victimize herself. The fact that sh Posted originally on my blog: Whenever you begin reading a celebrity memoir, you can never be sure what the pages will hold. Some are so scandalous that you can’t help but keep reading. And then there are classy confessions like the ones Toni Braxton makes in this book.
Everything about this book is handled with care and what seems like genuine honesty. There’s not a time that I felt Braxton used this as a means to exaggerate events or even victimize herself.
The fact that she constantly analyzes the situation, is so reminiscent of how I talk myself in circles, that it had an air of honesty. I really appreciated her recollection of her childhood and even parts of her mother’s and grandmother’s stories. It helped to not only explain the circumstances in which she grew up, but it was a reflection of the time and how it molded them and affected their families. You can’t help but sympathize with Toni’s upbringing. While she had a very loving family, she was forced to embrace extreme religious beliefs that left her wanting for more. As someone who is not overly religious, I was really appreciative of her analysis of the beliefs that didn’t make sense to her. For example, she was not allowed to watch movies, but was allowed to watch television.
And her parents were extremely insistent on their children getting a good education and staying on top of their studies, but were so obsessed with their religious beliefs and routines, that they didn’t allow their children adequate time to study or do homework. As an outsider, I actually felt sad for Toni’s circumstances. Though her family was supportive of her career and success, it seemed as if there were heavy chains attached to that. Her mother reacted so hatefully initially and made the poor girl promise to pave a way for her sisters. And worse, her sisters were raised to believe that it was Toni’s job and responsibility to make them successful.
There are times when they actually blame Toni for not doing enough because at the end of the day, they didn’t have that “it” factor to make it big or at least not as big as they wanted to in the music industry. This is a shame and it’s certainly unfair. I can only imagine how much work and stress was put into creating, maintaining and rebuilding her own career. She shouldn’t have been held responsible for doing the same for her siblings. But it’s nice to see that she acknowledges that at times, she was being walked over or used and yet, she still loves her family. I say that, not because I believe you should let your family do that, but because to her, family is extremely important and I can understand that need to hold on to it at all costs. The one thing that really left me intrigued me into reading this book was the fact Toni has an autistic son.
Her reaction to the news was, in my opinion, normal. She felt as if her son was being punished because she chose to terminate a pregnancy a few years prior. But at the same time, she realizes that it was just her own guilt making her feel that way and she more than embraces her son and fights to get him the help he needs to overcome some of obstacles that come with having autism.
As a mother of an autistic son, I could relate to a lot of the mixed feelings she mentioned and the frustrations she had when the doctors blame it on his hearing for two years. There’s a lot of raw honesty in this particular book and I think Toni does a great job at balancing the truth and maintaining a sense of dignity.
She’s even thoughtful enough to be considerate of the people mentioned in this book and the worst that is shown about anyone, is her distrust or frustration with someone. As beautiful of a singer as she is, it’s clear she has a beautiful heart. It is very easy to tell the world at large about your successes. Not so however, when the subject shifts to those 'not so bright' moments in your life.
But if you are Toni Braxton. You hold your head as high as you can manage, get the lay of the land, and persevere. The multi-platinum artist speaks with a humble honesty that draws the reader in, literally giving one permission to delve into those most private and closely guarded areas of a most illustrious, and at times, infamous existence. Though It is very easy to tell the world at large about your successes. Not so however, when the subject shifts to those 'not so bright' moments in your life. But if you are Toni Braxton. You hold your head as high as you can manage, get the lay of the land, and persevere.
The multi-platinum artist speaks with a humble honesty that draws the reader in, literally giving one permission to delve into those most private and closely guarded areas of a most illustrious, and at times, infamous existence. Though Unbreak My Heart does speak of instances and people in and around Toni's successes, as well as her failures.
Miss Braxton is very careful not to sling mud. Choosing instead to speak her truth in a way that, while clearly acknowledging the role of person a or b in one situation or another; she does not maline, judge,or hurt said parties. The story told here is one of a life. A life filled with love, loss, lessons, joys, sorrows, and song.
This review is unfinished. The above musings are based on first impressions of this work by the reviewer.
Genre: R&B Year: 2007 Country: Italy Audio codec: MP3 Riptype: tracks Bitrate: 128-192 Playtime: 1:15:43 Site: Tracklist: 1. Un – Break My Heart 2. How Could An Angel Break My Heart 3. I Don’t Want To 4. Breathe Again 5.
You’re Makin’ Me High 6. Another Sad Love Song 7.
He Wasn’t Man Enough 8. Spanish Guitar 9. Let It Flow 10. You Mean The World To Me 11. Why Should I Care 12. Love Shoulda Brought You Home 13.
I Belong To You 14. The Time Of Our Lives 15.
Please (lp version) 17. Please (instrumental).
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