Building Material

For fans of books like Waiter Rant, and all those who have always wondered how the other half lives, comes this heartfelt, laugh-out-loud funny memoir from a New York City doorman with astute ears and a penchant for storytelling.

As an academically gifted Latino kid growing up in the Bronx, Stephen Bruno’s family had high aspirations for his future. He attended magnet schools and selective academic programs and was on track to realize his potential. But those dreams were derailed when, much to his Mami’s dismay, he followed a girlfriend to Minnesota and a dead-end job. Languishing and unable to get it together, Stephen eventually moved back home. Broke and eager to make a way for himself—and away from the oppressively religious father wreaking havoc on his love life—the affable, easy going, and quick-witted Stephen lands a much-coveted job as a doorman at a high-end building on Park Avenue, offering a true behind the scenes look at the city's elite.

Full of New York City workplace humor, hilarity and drama soon abound as Stephen learns the dos and don’ts of being a doorman for the rich and famous and witnesses the antics going on behind the front entrance of this swanky building. In Building Material, he shares those entertaining tales and introduces an unforgettable cast of characters—from Puerto Rican and Albanian doormen battling it out for turf to quirky one percenters to slimy sugar daddies to his peers, both friends and frenemies. Throughout, Stephen offers a glimpse into the unfathomable lives of the residents and a sharp portrait of an everyday man wanting more for himself.

Both poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, Building Material is a captivating and inspirational memoir of class, failure, and redemption—and how to come back swinging—from a gifted young talent.

What really happens behind the gilded doors of Park Avenue?
Coming-of-Age Story: Follow a gifted Latino kid from the Bronx who trades magnet schools for a doorman’s uniform, finding his way in a world he was only meant to observe.A Complicated Father Son Relationship: Navigate the tension of a deeply religious household where family aspirations clash with a young man’s search for his own path—and his own love life.Sharp Social Commentary: Get an insider’s glimpse into the staggering class differences and the often hilarious, sometimes shocking lives of Park Avenue’s one percenters.A Raw and Honest Voice: Laugh-out-loud funny and deeply poignant, this true story of failure and redemption is about more than just opening doors—it’s about finding your own.