Reviews

Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope by Karamo Brown

darkpsychereads's review

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5.0

Really enjoyable, heartfelt autobiography. Huge fan of the show Queer Eye and this was such a good and easy read.

As a student counsellor who's really battling inner demons, self-doubt, holding worries about existence in a capitalistic/restrictive / exploitative world. I really needed the advice and experience of a human in this field, and also just shares a lot of the values I do about authenticity, honesty, justice, understanding, harmony, and healing the world. Knowing Karamo is also a bit of an authentic and stubborn rebel helps dispel some of my people-pleasing anxieties of having to fit in. If there are cracks in the world and I see them and can do something about them- I feel more empowered to go with my heart and not just what's always been done. Turns out not everyone can see the emotional scars of the world and connect those dots like I can, so I can use my abilities more confidently. I found Karamo's stories really relatable and I couldn't put this down.

jamesmata's review

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3.0

This got better over time, though it was consistently mildly annoying in the standard celebrity memoir way. I found myself not liking him very much, while he was painting himself in a very flattering light, so… But, unique background and voice and I learned some things.

rossmollyb's review

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inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

quinnithpaltrow's review

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1.0

This book completely changed my opinion of Karamo. Prior to reading it and having only seen him on queer eye I thought he really understood the world and feelings. However every word in the book oozes with arrogance. He paints himself as a knight in shining armour and I just found myself thinking oh shut up. I also wouldn’t be impressed with my partner if they organised such a public proposal when I’d said I needed to do it in my own time. I think the message he’s trying to send is take ownership of your life but it just left me with a bad impression.

leannaaker's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

anhibbert's review

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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

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3.0

A bit more self help than memoir, but that’s on brand for Karamo. I just wanted the juicy parts.

colleenmdavis's review

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

kelly104's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

gbatts's review

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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.