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!

Which Fab 5 member is your favourite and why? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Queer Eye: YA Book Recommendations Based On The Fab 5 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

This list brings you 10 historical fiction novels that will make you feel a range of emotions and also tie in with other genres such as fantasy and young adult. Who knows, even people who are not big fans might just fall in love with the genre along the way!

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An exhilarating plot, characters you will fall head over heels in love with, bickering siblings, wicked nobles, highway robbery, mad scientists, scandals, daring escapades, impossible quests, grave mysteries, and of course, a gorgeous and epic love story. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue has it all! It also tackles issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, disability, and physical abuse with great care, but in a way that never gets preachy. Monty’s witty, wry, and unapologetically bi voice is an added bonus.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

With beautiful prose and well fleshed out characters, All the Lights We Cannot See is bittersweet and heartbreaking in the best possible way. However, going into this book, don’t expect a typical wartime love story. It is very different, in a much more haunting way.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Along with being historical fiction, this is also a portal fantasy book! Harrow’s writing is magical and lovely, and almost tricks you into believing in Doors that will take you to worlds unseen before. Be prepared for the disappointment you are bound to feel when you come out of the book and back to reality, though.

The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Fantasy and magic seamlessly merge with history, making the story of two people who have never known freedom before into a grand tale of epic adventure. An enchanting novel full of heart and raw emotions, The Bird King is going to stay with you for a long time.

Ziggy Stardust and Me by James Brandon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This book is honest, blunt, heart-wrenching, and incredibly important. The writing style is very unique, although sometimes it might seem a little disjointed too, but that fits Jonathan, a boy who is losing his identity and being shattered into a million pieces every day as he goes through “therapy” that would “fix” him. Ziggy, Stardust and Me possesses the unique power to put the reader in its main character’s shoes, to render the reader as vulnerable as Jonathan feels and takes the reader through the horrors he faces. Brace yourselves, this is going to hurt.

Speak Easy, Speak Love by McKelle George
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Ah, a Shakespearean retelling set in the glorious Jazz Age sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? George has created such loveable, delightful characters; sometimes you want to shake them until their teeth rattle because they would die before admitting their feelings out loud, but that’s just part of their charm. There’s lots of drama and lots of romance and amidst it all, the plot is carried out satisfactorily too. If all that isn’t enough to convince you, Beatrice and Benedick are basically the enemies-to-lovers trope personified!

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sepetys portrays a brutal time in history with compassion, but also in a way that hits hard. If you enjoy well researched and informative historical fiction, this book is definitely for you. Make sure you check out Sepetys’s other works too, all of them are similarly brilliant and immersive.

The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Pulley recreates Victorian London and Japan during the civil war with loving precision, and blends historical events with elements of fantasy deftly, making this into an atmospheric read not just read but thoroughly savoured.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Told from Ari’s point of view, the story is lyrical and gentle, and takes the reader smoothly through the pages. You’ll find yourself relating to at least one of the characters, at least a little.

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

You know those books you just can’t stop hugging? My Lady Jane has the potential to become one of those for you. Brimming with humour, romance, adventure, and pop culture references, MLJ is a charming historical retelling that everyone should give a try, especially if you are not a fan of the genre. And then try the other books in the Lady Janies series. You won’t regret it.

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 10 Unusual Historical Fiction Books You Should Pick Up appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

It’s August and can you believe that we’re already more than halfway through 2019?! Today, we will share a selection of debut releases that you don’t want to miss this month! And if you’re ready to find your next favourite book (and author too!), be sure to keep reading this post as we’ve selected a few of our most anticipated!

100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A contemporary story from debut author Abbie Emmons, featuring Tessa Dickinson, a blogger/poet who just recently become blind because of a car crash and Weston Ludovico, a confident and optimistic amputee who wants to help Tessa to keep blogging by becoming her typewriter. Through many ups and downs, and after Life knocked both of them down with different challenges during different times, we got to witness how the two started as barely a stranger, and become each other’s biggest support system.

As Many Nows As I Can Get by Shana Youngdahl
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In one impulsive moment the summer before they leave for college, overachievers Scarlett and David plunge into an irresistible swirl of romance, particle physics, and questionable decisions. This is the story of a grounded girl who’s pulled into a lightning-strike romance with an electric-charged boy, and the enormity of the aftermath.

Color Me In by Natasha Diaz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Inspired by her personal experiences, Color Me In is a coming-of-age novel about the meaning of friendship, the joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds. Biracial 16-year-old Nevaeh Levitz had to move to her mom’s family home in Harlem and she labeled as a white who’s too privileged to relate to the injustices they face on a daily basis as African Americans. Can she face this challenge when it comes from her own family?

Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When homosexuality is still considered as a mental illness in 1973, aside from alcoholic father, sympathetic neighbor, and his friend, Carla, 16-year-old Jonathan Collins is completely alone. To cope with his loneliness, he escaped to an alternate universe, his own imagination. In this place, he had his hero David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and dead relatives, including his mother. Until suddenly, Web, a fearless, fearsome and, most importantly, not ashamed of being gay, stumbled into his life. And maybe, Web is a kind of escape Jonathan has never known.

Carnegie Hill by Jonathan Vatner
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A belated-coming-of-age novel about sustaining a marriage—and knowing when to walk away. It chronicles the lives of wealthy New Yorkers and the staff who serve them, as they suffer together and rebound, struggle to free themselves from family entanglements, deceive each other out of love and weakness, and fumble their way to honesty.

Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hollow Kingdom is a humorous, big-hearted, and boundlessly beautiful romp through the apocalypse and the world that comes after, where even a cowardly crow can become a hero. When one day, S.T., a domesticated crow,  saw his owner’s eyeball falls out of his head, he feels like something isn’t quite right. Forced to leave his old life, S.T. now ventures out into a wild and frightening new world with his trusty steed Dennis, and discovered that humanity is about to extinct, and he seems to be the only one who can save it.

I’m Not Dying with You Tonight by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When the opposite Lena and Campbell went into the Friday-night football game,  they didn’t expect to descend into sudden mass chaos. Chaos born from violence and hate. Chaos that unexpectedly throws them together. They aren’t friends. They hardly understand the other’s point of view. But none of that matters when the city is up in flames, and they only have each other to rely on if they’re going to survive the night.

They Could Have Named Her Anything by Stephanie Jimenez
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Racism, class, and betrayal collide in this poignant debut novel about restoring the broken bonds of family and friendship. They Could Have Named Her Anything explores the heartfelt expectation of what it means to live up to the name you’ve been given and the more rewarding discovery of what really matters.

A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When 18-year-old Emmaline Watkins heard about the design competition held by the most admired fashion house in the city, she knew this is her opportunity to get closer to her dream. As the first “country girl” to compete, Emmy knows she’ll encounter extra hurdles on her way to the top. But as she navigates the twisted world of high fashion she starts to wonder: will she be able to tailor herself to fit into this dark, corrupted race? And at what cost?

Beasts of the Frozen Sun by Jill Criswell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

As a descendant of Aillira and god-gifted in her own right, Lira has the power to read people’s souls, to see someone’s true essence with only a touch of her hand. Until one day, a golden-haired warrior washes up on the shores of her homeland — Reyker — and after reading his soul, she realizes Reyker is different than his brethren who attack the coasts of Glasnith. As Lira and Reyker form a bond forbidden by both their clans, the wrath of the Dragon falls upon them and all over their city, and Lira finds herself facing the same tragic fate as her ancestor. The battle for Lira’s life, for Reyker’s soul, and for their peoples’ freedom has only just begun.

Crown of Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Every girl in Ilara is dreaming to become the next princess of a kingdom that’s ruled their village for as long as anyone can remember. When a childhood accident left Nor with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.  But when Zadie is gravely injured, Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Twelve sisters lived in a manor by the sea, but when accidents came to them one by one until only four of them left, Annaleigh, one of the girls that survived, Annaleigh became increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether  to join or stop them. When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.

Will you be picking up any of these debut books? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 12 Debut Novels To Pick Up In August 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.