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Karamo
Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope | Karamo Brown
An insightful, candid, and inspiring memoir from Karamo BrownQueer Eyes beloved culture expertas he shares his story for the first time, exploring how the challenges in his own life have allowed him to forever transform the lives of those in need. When Karamo Brown first auditioned for the casting directors of Netflixs Queer Eye, he knew he wouldnt win the role of culture expert by discussing art and theater. Instead he decided to redefine what culture couldand shouldmean for the show. He took a risk and declared, I am culture. Karamo believes that culture is so much more than art museums and the balletits how people feel about themselves and others, how they relate to the world around them, and how their shared labels, burdens, and experiences affect their daily lives in ways both subtle and profound. Seen through this lens, Karamo is culture: his family is Jamaican and Cuban; he was raised in the South in predominantly white neighborhoods and attended an HBCU (Historically Black College/University); he was trained as a social worker and psychotherapist; he overcame personal issues of colorism, physical and emotional abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, and public infamy; he is a proud and dedicated gay single father of two boys, one biological and one adopted. It is by discussing deep subjects like these, he feels, that the makeovers on the show can attain their full, lasting meaning. Styling your hair and getting new clothes and furniture are important, but its imperative that you figure out why you havent done so in twenty years so you can truly change your life. In this eye-opening and moving memoir, Karamo reflects on his lifelong education. It comprises every adversity he has overcome, as well as the lessons he has learned along the way. It is only by exploring our difficulties and having the hard conversationswith ourselves and one anotherthat we are able to adjust our mind-sets, heal emotionally, and move forward to live our best lives. Karamo shows us the way.
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Clwojick
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Here are my #Pantone2023 matches so far! A few look so off on the screen, but I swear they match on person! 😊

monalyisha @Clwojick Will you tag me in a post that explains how this challenge works? It‘s so pretty but I‘m clueless! 2y
74 likes1 comment
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Clwojick
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Pickpick

Day 3 of #JumpStart brought me 4 more books - all off of my #BookSpinBingo list. Karamo was an easy 5 star, read for non fiction, #SayMyName, and #AtoZ LGBTQ+. Book Lovers was also 5/5. Read for my 2022 GoodReads nominees challenge, #ISpyBingo suitcase, and #AtoZ Romance. Scarlet was my first DNF of the year, but was picked to scratch off Classics, #ReadtheRainbow, and #SayMyName. If She Wakes was 3/5 and chosen by #Roll100.

PuddleJumper Wow! 2y
Lizpixie Damn, you‘re miles ahead of me!🫣 2y
60 likes2 comments
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Clwojick
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Man, I haven‘t sat down and just coloured in so long, but this is such a perfect way to pass time while consuming an audiobook. Simpsons was an easy pick for “retro” for #LitsyCrafters for me, since these images are all from the episodes that ran every Sunday night during my childhood. 💚

Catsandbooks Love it!! Audiobooks are so perfect for crafting! ❤️ 2y
Megabooks Great coloring page! 2y
63 likes2 comments
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Clwojick
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Listening to the tagged audio while I colour my “retro” SpongeBob page for #LitsyCrafters. Since I found a bunch of fun printables for all the upcoming monthly themes, I caved an order some blend ale alcohol markers on Amazon. They don‘t come in for a few weeks, so for now it‘s crayola 🙃

#JumpStart2023

peanutnine Cute! 2y
LiseWorks This is the worse cartoon ever all they do is yell. No wonder kids yell in the school yards. Lol 2y
Catsandbooks So fun! Love SpongeBob! 2y
64 likes3 comments
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Graciouswarriorprincess
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I just did a Zoom video chat with Karamo through Pratt library . First, I loved his book and Queer Eye ! Second, what an amazing conversation! Tidbits: counsel culture, connection, lead with love and life is like a slingshot. Also loved his perspective on being comfortable in your skin and sharing your whole being with the world. Read his book!

LiteraryinPA That‘s so cool! 4y
wanderinglynn That is awesome! 4y
Graciouswarriorprincess @LiteraryinLititz @wanderinglynn. Thank you. It was really cool. The best part was learning some inside things about the show. 4y
45 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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PMMREADS
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Pickpick

This was a good read for sure. I love how honest Karamo told his story. “Remember friends, we all have inherent value and you are designed perfectly.”

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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

Of the three memoirs I‘ve read from the Queer Eye cast, this is my least favorite. Karamo narrates the audiobook and opens up about himself, and we learn about his difficulties growing up with an abusive father. Somehow, though, I felt a little removed from his story, but I cannot explain why. The structure of it is not chronological, so some events and thoughts get repeated several times. Still, I mostly liked it.

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wicdiv

I really wish I could've liked this but there were many elements that meant I just....didn't.

I don't think kindly of abusers. I want to believe that they can be reformed, but past experience has not been indicative of that. There are a number of red flags throughout this book.
The book itself was disjointed, going back and forth between Karamo's childhood and adulthood. He repeated certain sections of his life and the book just seem muddled.

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wicdiv

After seeing many glowing reviews I am really conflicted about this book so far. Karamo is open about being abusive which he says is a product of being brought up around abuse (but not actually being abused himself).

As someone who has been abused as a child, I couldn‘t imagine being abusive to others, nor trying to use growing up in an environment like that as an excuse/explanation for being abusive.

Trying to be compassionate but it‘s hard.

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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

The story of his life. Family. Addiction. His professional goals and path. Interesting and fun.

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MsLeah8417
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟

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xicanti
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Pickpick

I entered this book with a lot of affection for Karamo and I left it the same way—mostly. He‘s open and honest about everything he‘s dealt with, including addiction, life in reality TV in his early 20s, and his role in perpetuating cycles of abuse.

It‘s this last that gives me pause. I like Karamo. I want to believe he HAS changed—but abusers make that claim so often, in such weaponized ways, that I don‘t feel I can fully trust him now. ⬇️

xicanti And that‘s an awful thing, because we NEED people to model this kind of change. We NEED them to give honest accounts of how they broke away from abusive behaviour patterns. It sucks that we live in a cultural moment when we‘ve gotta say, “I‘ll believe you, but with reservations.”

I hope history will show Karamo helped change that narrative to something unreservedly positive.
5y
MoonWitch94 I hope history does provide proof of how he has changed. Perhaps, because he has publicly discussed it, that will keep him accountable. 5y
emtobiasz Thank you for articulating some of my hesitations with this book. Great review! 5y
Mimi28 Geez I didn‘t know he had any accusers 😞😞 I completely agree with you! I hope he has changed 😊😊🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️👍🏽👍🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🍀🍀 5y
33 likes4 comments
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xicanti
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I was all set to binge read some fiction on this rainy morning—until I remembered Karamo‘s book is due in a few days and I‘ve still got a ton of chapters left. I read two just now and I‘m feeling a lot of love for him. #caseyplusbooks

Mariposa_Bookworm Puppy! ❤️ 5y
xicanti @Mariposa_Bookworm he‘s my devoted reading buddy. ❤️ 5y
DebReads4fun Beautiful pup! 5y
39 likes4 comments
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BlameJennyJane
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Pickpick

Ah, this book... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I adore Karamo, and as expected this is a thoughtful and revealing autobiography but it is also wisdom and encouragement without being preachy or cheesy. Brown paints a picture of himself as a flawed, dynamic and introspective yet relatable guy. I love Queer Eye and picked this up between seasons when I *missed* the Fab Five but the show is a small part of the book- one chapter- and about so much more. #memoir #fabfive

squirrelbrain I have this on Kindle - looking forward to reading it! I live all of the Fab Five! ❤️ 5y
squirrelbrain I have this on Kindle - looking forward to reading it! I love all of the Fab Five! ❤️ 5y
BlameJennyJane @squirrelbrain oh, enjoy it! I really want to read Tan‘s book and have pre-ordered Jonathan‘s... I‘m hoping their energy and influence are contagious! 😻 5y
48 likes3 comments
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theshrinkette
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This AM. 💕

Megabooks Hugs! That was me last year. It‘s frustrating, but books will be there and so will we. 💜 5y
bibliobliss My daily struggle articulated beautifully 5y
30 likes1 stack add2 comments
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thelizflynn
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Pickpick

3.75 stars. I love every member of the Fab 5, so I went in knowing I‘d enjoy this book. There were some parts of Karamo‘s story that seemed glossed over and self-serving, but all in all it was an informative memoir about his life growing up, his career, and his experience becoming a father. #audiobook #queereye

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sophierayton
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Pickpick

Give me all the Queer Eye Fab 5's memoirs!
I loved learning about his life story. He is incredibly honest and vulnerable and absolutely recognises his own mistakes and doesn't shy away from them. While the book deals with hard topics, it is ultimately hopeful and empowering. Great job Karamo!

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Graciouswarriorprincess
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I am starting this tonight. I love the show so I am curious to find out more about each of the men. Who else watches and loves Queer Eye?

WanderingBookaneer @BookishMarginalia and I love it! I think Tan is the next one who is publishing a book. 6y
Joanne1 I love it too. 6y
Graciouswarriorprincess @WanderingBookaneer @BookishMarginalia I saw where Jonathan and Antoni have book releases for the Fall. @Joanne1 👍🏻😃 6y
See All 10 Comments
JoScho Yassss! 6y
Graciouswarriorprincess @JoScho. Queen!!! 👍🏻😂 6y
JoScho 😂🙌🏼💜 6y
Julsmarshall ❤️💕❤️💕 Queer Eye! 6y
mklong 🙋🏻‍♀️ Big fan over here too! I have tickets to see Jonathan on his book tour in November and I can‘t wait! 6y
Graciouswarriorprincess @mklong How fabulous! I am debating about tickets for his tour. The closest he will be to me is two and half hours away. Have fun! 6y
50 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Graciouswarriorprincess
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My library haul since it‘s a rainy weekend.

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Wife
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Mehso-so

I‘m a big fan of the very positive (and popular) show Queer Eye on Netflix. I happened upon Karamo‘s book on Scribed. I‘ll never pan an author‘s memoir, but I felt like this was a “just the facts” book that was devoid of feeling. I‘m not sure 🤔 if the book was rushed because of the start of the new season. He has had an eventful life that includes abuse and addiction, and tells how he worked through life issues. Uplifting and encouraging. 3/5👁s

RebL I enjoyed the first group of QE, but I‘m near tears with each episode of the new QE. Also, I get what you‘re saying about memoirs that are just the facts. I thought basically the same thing about John Taylor‘s. Like, wow, all that living and no feelings about it? 6y
Wife @RebL I cry 😢 every episode! I‘m glad I‘m not the only one 🌹 6y
Jerdencon @RebL huge Duran Duran fan here and I have a signed copy of the book but can‘t get myself to read it (for years now!) because I‘m afraid of that. And not really digging this group of QE guys too much. 6y
59 likes3 comments
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nomadreader
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I've followed him since The Real World. I'm excited to learn even more about his journey.

9 likes2 stack adds
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BlameJennyJane
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It‘s going to be a #queer weekend! I had no idea season three of Queer Eye was coming out (punny 😜) this weekend! It‘ll make a perfect pairing with my next up #NF read. 💕

SamanthaMarie We started watching it yesterday since everyone in my house has been swapping illnesses. I cried so much yesterday ? great "heroes" this season!!! 6y
Beachesnbooks I‘m already on the 4th episode 😂 6y
BlameJennyJane I just finished Shrill on Hulu so up next is this @Beachesnbooks ! 6y
BlameJennyJane @SamanthaMarie I almost cried during the trailer! Lol. I‘m sure I‘ll be a mess! Hope you all are starting to feel a bit better! 6y
45 likes4 comments
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8little_paws
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Pickpick

This was everything I wanted from a Karamo memoir and then some. It's great to hear about his upbringing, his current family and how he got into queer eye, but it's exceptional to hear about his experience with abusive relationships, his thoughts on the intersection of colorism and gender, and his reconciliation with Christianity.

lynneamch Just saw him on The Daily Show. Wow. What an amazing life story. Can't wait to read it. 6y
63 likes1 stack add1 comment
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8little_paws
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If you think i'm going to drop everything else i'm reading to binge read this, you're absolutely right.

50 likes1 stack add
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BlameJennyJane
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My pre-order showed up today! Oh how I ❤️ you, Karamo!

Trashcanman 👁️👁️ 6y
56 likes2 comments