Brian Broome's memoir 'Punch Me Up to the Gods' is a piercing, raw chronicle of growing up black and gay in Ohio. Brian's journey is etched with struggles against the racial and sexual undertones of society, the crushing weight of addiction, and the relentless search for a place to belong. We travel with him through cringe-inducing moments, bouts of laughter, and the heartbreaks that defined his youth, led by his reflections, full of vulnerability and authenticity. Framed with the reverence of Gwendolyn Brooks's 'We Real Cool,' this fearless memoir forges a narrative that is both deeply personal and resonantly universal, highlighting the often-unheard voices of young Black boys and the resounding effects of culture, family, and identity.