jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly wonderful! I have a soft spot for celebrity memoirs and didn't think that this would be much more than a pleasant read, but I was very glad to be proven wrong. France shares experiences from both his past and present, offering a unique and interesting perspective of the world from his position as a gay British reality star with Muslim Pakistani roots. I appreciated his candor on a wide range of topics and liked how the book is peppered with his opinions on many aspects of fashion. His narration on the audiobook is warm and welcoming, and the bonus of two conversations with fellow Queer Eye cast member Antoni Porowski is great fun; while I would have loved to hear Tan interacting with the rest of the Fab Five, I understand that only Antoni is featured because of their close bond.
pixiespice16's review against another edition
4.0
Tan’s first memoir is at the same time a light and a heavy read. He discusses the struggles of acceptance he had while growing up as South Asian in a predominately white town and how he continues to struggle with his body image and identity as a gay man. I enjoyed getting to know more about this man I’ve admired on Queer Eye and recommend this book to fans of the show, or anyone who wants to read from the point-of-view of someone different from them.
On the back of the book, Tan states, “This book is meant to spread joy, personal acceptance, and most of all understanding. Each of us is living our own private journey, and the more we know about each other, the healthier and happier the world will be.” His book delivers just that.
On the back of the book, Tan states, “This book is meant to spread joy, personal acceptance, and most of all understanding. Each of us is living our own private journey, and the more we know about each other, the healthier and happier the world will be.” His book delivers just that.
kappareads's review
4.0
This was a really solid audiobook and a great memoir (with bonus content with Antoni!). My one thing was sometimes the way it was written, I was confused about the timeline.
Also, some people have been saying "omg he's so judgmental!" Well one, it's only in the small PSAs where he gives his (albeit strong) opinions on certain fashions that are entirely skippable. He's the fashion guy on the show, he has to have those parts. Also, someone took a PSA out of context, he doesn't hate on leggings, he hates on Aztec print leggings worn by white girls who took one yoga class and now think they're honorary South Asian.
Also, some people have been saying "omg he's so judgmental!" Well one, it's only in the small PSAs where he gives his (albeit strong) opinions on certain fashions that are entirely skippable. He's the fashion guy on the show, he has to have those parts. Also, someone took a PSA out of context, he doesn't hate on leggings, he hates on Aztec print leggings worn by white girls who took one yoga class and now think they're honorary South Asian.
thelindzz's review against another edition
funny
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
3.75
Made me realize Tan is actually a lot more modest when it comes to fashion than I was expecting. Enjoyed how there was a fashion item tied in with each story.
jbuckmaster's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
chandraleereads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars. I enjoyed listening to this book, I’m sure I would have enjoyed even more if I were a fashion person.
ela_lee_'s review against another edition
4.0
I’ve always liked Tan and this book made me LOVE him. On the show and in his book, Tan has mastered the art of encouraging style as a form of respecting yourself and others, as opposed to encouraging a materialistic, feminine trait. Tan seems like the perfect balance of a professional yet kind, traditional yet open-minded human being. Plus his snarky and TRUTHFUL comments made me laugh out loud. I would love to have him as a colleague or friend!
I appreciate how Tan also went into the downsides of being famous, reminding us that it can be exhausting and a huge loss of privacy. I’m grateful to have witnessed Tan, an openly gay, Southeast Asian kid from England, become as famous as he has. He really seems to deserve it!
I appreciate how Tan also went into the downsides of being famous, reminding us that it can be exhausting and a huge loss of privacy. I’m grateful to have witnessed Tan, an openly gay, Southeast Asian kid from England, become as famous as he has. He really seems to deserve it!
livculture's review against another edition
4.0
Tan!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I was given this as a gift and I absolutely loved it!!! I love Tan anyway from the show but this book gives you a whole new side to him, from the early years to his tell it how it is hot takes which I found very funny
jaw417's review against another edition
4.0
Rounding up from 3.5. I received a free advanced reader's copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.
Memoirs are not my favorite genre, but fortunately this book didn't read like a traditional memoire. I would instead say that it's an amalgamation of a few different elements, resulting in something that's not easily categorized, but is certainly fun. Naturally Tan (let's take a moment to appreciate that title, by the way) is part story-of-the-author's-life, part behind-the-scenes look, part fashion/style guide, part cultural observations, and part learn-from-my-experience advice for folks interested in the fashion industry or in owning their own business. It's a little bit of everything, and while the content does not necessarily create one uniform picture, it's all tied together by Tan's clear narrative voice.
Tan's style is conversational, and the tone of his writing felt very much like I imagine his in-person dialogue to be. I laughed, I took mental notes, I said "huh" and filed tidbits away for further consideration. You get some insight into how the Queer Eye reboot came to be, the casting, how things really work before edits and polish. I enjoyed getting Tan's take on various nuances of American culture and fashion trends, and while I didn't agree with everything he said, it was all presented in such a candid and honest way that it was all entertaining.
I will say that I was not expecting this book to be as unfiltered as it was. That's not to say there's anything dirty or inappropriate, but there is a decent amount of swearing (always well placed, in my opinion; it's peppered throughout like seasoning), and Tan does not sensor his thoughts on trends, relationship dynamics, media, etc. Some people may not appreciate some of his snark and sharper commentary. Personally, it made me like him all the more; the snark made the thoughts and experiences Tan shares feel very real, like I was sitting down with a friend for coffee and he was genuinely "spilling" his truth, without holding back. I thoroughly enjoyed his voice and his perspective, and this was a nice lighter change up to some of the denser books I've been reading.
My one disappointment was with the ending. In short, there wasn't much of one. I wanted some kind of final parting thoughts, etc., and instead things just sort of ended after what could have been any other chapter of the book. It felt a little bit like those papers I wrote in college, when I had slogged through all of my major content, realized I needed a conclusion, and then tried to tie things up with a sentence or two that really didn't do the job.I feel like if a different chapter has been placed at the end (maybe the one titled "Naturally Tan," in fact), it would have felt like we'd been left on a final note of observation, a nice bow to wrap things up, etc. I think that one type of editorial change could tie things off beautifully, and do a bit more justice to the book overall.
Memoirs are not my favorite genre, but fortunately this book didn't read like a traditional memoire. I would instead say that it's an amalgamation of a few different elements, resulting in something that's not easily categorized, but is certainly fun. Naturally Tan (let's take a moment to appreciate that title, by the way) is part story-of-the-author's-life, part behind-the-scenes look, part fashion/style guide, part cultural observations, and part learn-from-my-experience advice for folks interested in the fashion industry or in owning their own business. It's a little bit of everything, and while the content does not necessarily create one uniform picture, it's all tied together by Tan's clear narrative voice.
Tan's style is conversational, and the tone of his writing felt very much like I imagine his in-person dialogue to be. I laughed, I took mental notes, I said "huh" and filed tidbits away for further consideration. You get some insight into how the Queer Eye reboot came to be, the casting, how things really work before edits and polish. I enjoyed getting Tan's take on various nuances of American culture and fashion trends, and while I didn't agree with everything he said, it was all presented in such a candid and honest way that it was all entertaining.
I will say that I was not expecting this book to be as unfiltered as it was. That's not to say there's anything dirty or inappropriate, but there is a decent amount of swearing (always well placed, in my opinion; it's peppered throughout like seasoning), and Tan does not sensor his thoughts on trends, relationship dynamics, media, etc. Some people may not appreciate some of his snark and sharper commentary. Personally, it made me like him all the more; the snark made the thoughts and experiences Tan shares feel very real, like I was sitting down with a friend for coffee and he was genuinely "spilling" his truth, without holding back. I thoroughly enjoyed his voice and his perspective, and this was a nice lighter change up to some of the denser books I've been reading.
My one disappointment was with the ending. In short, there wasn't much of one. I wanted some kind of final parting thoughts, etc., and instead things just sort of ended after what could have been any other chapter of the book. It felt a little bit like those papers I wrote in college, when I had slogged through all of my major content, realized I needed a conclusion, and then tried to tie things up with a sentence or two that really didn't do the job.I feel like if a different chapter has been placed at the end (maybe the one titled "Naturally Tan," in fact), it would have felt like we'd been left on a final note of observation, a nice bow to wrap things up, etc. I think that one type of editorial change could tie things off beautifully, and do a bit more justice to the book overall.