Queer Eye is the type of feel-good show that makes even our darkest days brighter – and I think we all wish the Fab 5 were our close friends/confidants! I am also 100% sure that you have a favourite of the five, so here’s a little list of YA book recommendations based on your favourite member of the Fab 5!
JONATHAN VAN NESS
Jonathan Van Ness aka the nonbinary hair and makeup artist of the show is a literal ball of sunshine that makes everyone feel better about themselves with just a few words! Jonathan never sugarcoats, but tells people what is what in the sweetest, most awe-inspiring way. Jonathan had a pretty difficult life (and you can read more about it in their stunning memoir Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love, which I highly recommend) and all of their experiences coalesce into this gorgeous, strong, and confident hype-ball!
So the books we picked for Jonathan had to include all of the above – self-love, honesty, confidence, and just a pinch of extra!
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver | Goodreads
A sorrowful yet hopeful coming-of-age love story that will make your heart weep with love! We are 100% sure that Jonathan would fall head over heels for this important story of Ben De Backer who comes out to their parents as non-binary and is consequently thrown out of their house. Forced to move in with their estranged sister and finish their senior year at a new school, the situation is less than ideal for Ben. But when they meet an always-smiling student Nathan and learn how to ask for help, things start looking up and there might still be a chance at happiness.
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy | Goodreads
This celebration of our bodies and all that is beautiful of a novel centres around Willowdean, a self-proclaimed fat girl that decides to take back her confidence by entering a beauty pageant! In doing so, she also inspires some other unlikely candidates to do the same and with that changes the way people see these girls, but mostly she changes the way she sees herself! This gorgeous tale set in Texas and enriched with Dolly Parton songs is perfect for any Jonathan fans out there – confident and full of self-love!
Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) by Lev A.C. Rosen | Goodreads
Jack Rothman is a seventeen-year-old boy who is very open about the things he loves: boys, makeup, and parties! He is a popular guy who even has a secret admirer, but when Jack starts writing an online sex advice column, those letters become threatening and Jack has to uncover the truth about who is behind them. This fun and quirky read with a chilling twist is perfect for anyone who is unsure of who they are. Jack will teach you what it means to be confident in your skin and inspire you to keep your head held high, similar to what Jonathan does in every single Queer Eye episode.
ANTONI POROWSKI
Antoni Porowski is the food expert on Queer Eye and he also serves just the right amount of sass, side-eye, and cuteness on the show! Antoni is a chef and last year he published Antoni in the Kitchen, a cookbook filled with recipes of different levels, so it’s a must-have for both newbies in the kitchen and seasoned chefs!
The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews | Goodreads
This own-voices novel is a story of two boys who’ve been abandoned by their relatives and have to find a new life for themselves. Everything turns upside down for Sam and Avery when they somehow find their place with De Laineys, a chaotic and big family! This beautiful and heartwrenching story of found families, secrets, and love also deals with some very important topics such as mental health, anxiety, autism, and feminism. And of course, we can’t forget about all the delicious talk about food!
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord | Goodreads
Now I have to start this rec by telling you that yes, I mostly decided on it because there is a lot of baking! Pepper is a food blogger and overachiever extraordinaire, juggling her senior year and running a Twitter account for her family’s successful fast food restaurant chain. On the other side we have Jack, class clown and Pepper’s complete opposite in many ways, who works in his family’s small deli. While their lives get intertwined in a viral Twitter war, they also start falling for each other in real life. This cute story of the importance of family legacy chock-full of sassy remarks, cute shenanigans, and falling in love will warm your heart – and inexplicably make you super hungry! Snacks are a must while reading this beauty!
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston | Goodreads
Okay, so I am cheating a bit since this is technically not a YA novel (due to its themes it falls into New Adult category), but I just had to include this masterpiece about America’s First Son and the Prince of Wales falling in love! Okay so it’s a sort of an enemies (or at least rivals) to lovers story, which makes it even more endearing and important. This modern classic is perfect for any fans of Antoni because of its sincere story-telling and heart-aching quotes.
TAN FRANCE
The fabulous Tan France is Queer Eye‘s fashion expert and there is just something about this hard-working and cheeky fashion guru that demands attention! In his memoir Naturally Tan, he tells his origin story and highlights how important it is to work on acceptance and understanding of each other!
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo | Goodreads
There are two reasons I decided that this Bardugo masterpiece should be on Tan’s list of recs! The first is of course the gorgeous cover that still makes us gasp with awe to this day! The second are its narrators! King of Scars follows the journeys of the beloved charming king Nikolai and our queens (figuratively speaking – at least for now *wink*), the formidable Squaller and commander of the Second Army, Zoya, and Nina, the heartbroken yet still deadly in both her wits and abilities,as they try to piece together their country after its bloody civil wars and defy their enemies! We therefore follow three confident and strong protagonists that steal your heart from the get-go – and what is more Tan if not his trademark wit and poise!
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee | Goodreads
This feminist historical fiction novel follows our fierce heroine Felicity Montague as she does everything in her power to fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. As this is a less desirable path a woman should take in the 1700’s, Felicity has to fight for some room in the man-ruled world which leads to epic trips and unforgettable quests that show the reader the true struggles of women and the power they possess! Tan would undoubtedly adore Felicity, this judgy little queen that learns so much about herself and all women along the way, and becomes the most enlightened and accepting version of herself.
The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare | Goodreads
Whenever you think of a YA character with impeccable style, the infamous warlock Magnus Bane must be one of the first to cross your mind! In this beautiful short stories collection, we get to know more about the beloved Magnus – from his life spanning through centuries, to epic shenanigans, and all the heartbreaking love stories he lived through before meeting the other half of Malec, Alec Lightwood! Now I don’t know about you, but if you ask me, Magnus and Tan would be fast friends, talking fashion and exchanging witty remarks.
KARAMO BROWN
Karamo Brown is the Queer Eye‘s culture expert who helps the candidates with their problems and different obstacles in life by finding ways to start dealing with them. Karamo’s television career started on reality show The Real World: Philadelphia in 2004, when he also became the first openly gay black man on reality TV. Our resident culture expert is the motivational life coach that every one of us could probably use in our lives, making people believe in themselves and inspiring them with every action and nice word!
If Karamo is your favourite, you should also check out his 2019 memoir titled Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz | Goodreads
The lyrical and atmospheric tale of two boys that meet one fateful summer day and their developing friendship that shapes them both. This coming-of-age story about discovering the deepest parts of yourself and letting them shine is the perfect tale of heartbreak and love that will lift you up and fill your heart with hope!
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas | Goodreads
Now I think this modern-day classic doesn’t need any special introductions or explanations as to why it would be a perfect rec for any Karamo fans! As we follow Starr Carter on her journey of finding justice for her childhood friend who was a victim of a fatal shooting, we delve deep into important and very relevant issues of our world today, from racism and police brutality, to activism and weaponizing of stereotypes. This is one of the books that will stay with you long after you’re done reading it and keep you thinking – similar to what Karamo does in basically every Queer Eye episode!
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta | Goodreads
This fierce coming-of-age story of a young gay black man told in verse is a beautiful tale of self-discovery and self-love! We follow Michael as he tries to find his place under the sun, dealing with questions of his identity as a mixed-raced gay teen! His path leads him to university where he finds himself in the group of drag artists and finally unlocks his bold and bright colours! Now this novel just screams about self-acceptance and love and I am 100% sure this is something Karamo would urge all of us to read!
BOBBY BERK
Bobby Berk is the interior design expert on Queer Eye and he left home when he was only fifteen and made his way up in the world by working hard and never giving up, even when the situation seemed hopeless! He is an independent, no-nonsense guy that always has hard-hitting but important life advice at the ready! So it seemed only logical to pick books that really reflect that!
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren | Goodreads
If you’ve watched at least a few episodes of Queer Eye, you probably noticed that Bobby mentions a few times that religion had a big role in his life growing up! So, this heart-wrenching story of two boys falling in love and trying to balance their love and the beliefs they were brought up with seems like a perfect read for Bobby fans. This beautiful exploration of religion, sexuality, and young love will both break and mend your heart, and you will be rooting for Tanner and Sebastian in no time!
Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon | Goodreads
This book takes us back in time to the 70s when David Bowie was at the top of his game and when homosexuality was still treated as a mental illness. We meet Jonathan, a sixteen-year-old boy who is going through treatments for liking other boys. Life seems pretty drab until Web walks into Jonathan’s life and makes him question how something as pure as what he feels for him could be considered ‘bad’. This coming-of-age story about learning how to accept yourself even in the face of adversity will bring a smile to your lips!
I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman | Goodreads
For the last Bobby rec I had to go with an Alice Oseman book! She just really knows how to write uplifting stories while also weaving in important topics such as mental health and going after what you believe in! In this book all about the celebration of fandoms, we follow two perspectives – Angel, the fangirl, and Jimmy, the singer! As Angel and Jimmy’s worlds collide, they both learn a lot about themselves and the fandom culture they are a part of.
So, there you have all the epic YA book recommendations for our favourite Fab 5 members! And last but not least, if you adore Queer Eye as much as I do, you simply have to pick up Queer Eye: Love Yourself. Love Your Life, which includes everything you need to know about our beloved Fab 5, some behind-the-scenes things from the show, and practical advice about how to live your best life!
