Scan barcode
leannaaker's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
anhibbert's review against another edition
4.0
The writing is pretty rudimentary starting out, it seems the editor didn’t really do a whole lot, but once it gets going there’s a lot to say. Karamo’s story is a fascinating and inspiring one, and he has a lot to say that I’d recommend everyone to read this to find a new meaning to following their dreams, and opening up to life.
whatshawnareads's review against another edition
3.0
A bit more self help than memoir, but that’s on brand for Karamo. I just wanted the juicy parts.
gbatts's review against another edition
4.0
The structure of this book was interesting, a hybrid of memoir and self-help, which lead to it being written as a mostly chronological series of essays. Like all self-help books, it was speak more to certain mindsets. Karamo has obviously done a lot of professional development training, himself starting on a leadership pathway at a young age, as I recognise many techniques he’s using in the book. Like how we is constantly stating his ambitions. It’s good to read from someone’s perspective who’s unashamedly ambitious and lays down how hard he’s worked.
There are many important social topics covered too, especially addressing men’s mental health. The statistics on same-sex domestic violence were shocking and I hope this book can drive some conversations or help some people.
There are many important social topics covered too, especially addressing men’s mental health. The statistics on same-sex domestic violence were shocking and I hope this book can drive some conversations or help some people.
pacifickat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
2.25
This memoire is also a self help book, which is my least favorite genre. I don't even like home décor that tries to tell me what to do in saccharine yet judgy tones (Live, Laugh, Love, Dream, Smile, Believe, Think Happy, Good Vibes Only...). So, this was not the book for me.
It also seems like Karamo believes he's manifested a lot of his success by putting the right vibes out in the universe, but it seems more like he's very pushy in many cases and sometimes bowls others over in pursuit of his dreams. He can be charismatic, charming, and driven. This combination can come off as bullying, manipulative, and disingenuous. There was a whole section about his partner, Ian, not wanting to get married and being very clear from the start, and Karamo saying Ian had to be the one to take their relationship to that next step. Then the next beat, Karamo plans this humongous public birthday party for Ian where he proposes in front of all their family and friends, and he's nervous because he's not sure Ian will say yes. It just seemed super manipulative! I would have been super mad and confused in Ian's shoes. The behavior looks like love, but is it? It might really be self serving.
Furthermore, Karamo also often describes situations and past conversations in ways that seem hugely implausible and are meant to cast him in the best possible light. I'm sure you said all those perfect things in that moment of tension, buddy. Suuuuure.
It's not all bad though, and I do admire some of his life choices and experiences. I even thought we had similar experiences with having church purity culture teachings pushed far too early, leading to huge discomfort and anxiety with being negatively sexualized when I was too young to sort through the messaging and my own feelings.
All in all, I was a bit bored. Karamo is a talker, and often in a rambling sort of way. The beginning and end moved along, but the middle dragged. Also, the events of his life being told out of order, jumping from one thing back to another and then forward again, is repetitive at best and confusing at worst. It made me wonder when and how he had attained his social work training, how long it was between his treatment for domestic abuse and meeting Ian or being on Queer Eye, and what the overlap between his social work practice and his drug abuse/domestic abuse episodes had actually been.
As a fan of the Fab 5, I would strongly recommend Jonathan Van Ness' memoire over this one. To me it felt less preachy, more genuine, and better structured as a narrative.
It also seems like Karamo believes he's manifested a lot of his success by putting the right vibes out in the universe, but it seems more like he's very pushy in many cases and sometimes bowls others over in pursuit of his dreams. He can be charismatic, charming, and driven. This combination can come off as bullying, manipulative, and disingenuous. There was a whole section about
Furthermore, Karamo also often describes situations and past conversations in ways that seem hugely implausible and are meant to cast him in the best possible light. I'm sure you said all those perfect things in that moment of tension, buddy. Suuuuure.
It's not all bad though, and I do admire some of his life choices and experiences. I even thought we had similar experiences with having church purity culture teachings pushed far too early, leading to huge discomfort and anxiety with being negatively sexualized when I was too young to sort through the messaging and my own feelings.
All in all, I was a bit bored. Karamo is a talker, and often in a rambling sort of way. The beginning and end moved along, but the middle dragged. Also, the events of his life being told out of order, jumping from one thing back to another and then forward again, is repetitive at best and confusing at worst. It made me wonder when and how
As a fan of the Fab 5, I would strongly recommend Jonathan Van Ness' memoire over this one. To me it felt less preachy, more genuine, and better structured as a narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Violence
Colorism, manipulationtheskyisnew's review against another edition
4.0
I knew a lot of facts about Karamo already from osmosis, but it was particularly interesting to hear about his time on Real World, especially as I remember him from the show and how they presented him as somewhat unstable. It was also really interesting to have him talk about how the show wanted him to be more cultural, because when I was watching the show, I was like "Karamo literally never talks about culture, what does Culture even mean as a topic." So there's a whole story behind that. Obviously we know he's cut himself out of the cloth really well with time, but it wasn't that way right off the bat. Anyway. A really good read! Such a great guy.
megs_k's review against another edition
3.0
We often develop into who we are based on how people interact with us, but as we get older, it is our responsibility to grow based on how we feel about ourselves. ~ Karamo Brown
missy_evanko's review against another edition
4.0
Whoa, learned some very interesting things about Karamo's past that just makes you love him even more.