Welcome to Litsy!

Here are my #Pantone2023 matches so far! A few look so off on the screen, but I swear they match on person! 😊

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.

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. 💚

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

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!

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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

🌟🌟🌟🌟

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. ⬇️

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

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

This AM. 💕

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

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!

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?

My library haul since it‘s a rainy weekend.

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

I've followed him since The Real World. I'm excited to learn even more about his journey.

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. 💕

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.

If you think i'm going to drop everything else i'm reading to binge read this, you're absolutely right.

My pre-order showed up today! Oh how I ❤️ you, Karamo!