Book Review: Love That Story
by Jonathan Van Ness | Pub: April 12, 2022 by HarperAudio | Nonfiction Memoir | 256 Pages
My Review Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
My Thoughts: Nonfiction memoir narrated by the author is one of my absolute favorite ways to enjoy a book! This is the second book I’ve listened to on audio by JVN and it was a great listen.
Random tidbit: I could totally relate to his commentary about dealing with . gov websites - why are they so darn difficult to navigate?!
Overall I enjoyed the book and love his perspective on happiness and joy with his authentic voice and mindset that he’s not always happy but rather it’s a daily choice. I also LOVED his discussion of Body Neutrality vs Body Positivity. Do yourself a favor and go listen to this book!
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Links: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | Storygraph
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"Stigma and ignorance: two words Van Ness succeeds at erasing if you're curious enough to dig in. You should be." — USA Today
Publisher’s Description:
The Emmy-nominated host of Netflix’s Queer Eye follows up his New York Times-bestselling memoir, Over The Top, with this collection of thought-provoking essays on grief and healing, cannabis reform, LGBTQIA+ rights, imposter syndrome, personal style, the HIV safety net, and of, course, how to make your hairdresser love you.
In his New York Times-bestselling memoir Over the Top, Jonathan van Ness showed readers how the incredibly difficult moments from his life (surviving sexual abuse and addiction, being diagnosed with HIV) have existed alongside great joy and positivity (landing a breakout role on Netflix’s Queer Eye, becoming an amateur figure skater and professional standup comedian, doting on his five cats).
If Jonathan learned anything from the painful life experiences, it’s that in order to thrive, he needed to push past the shame and fear of being his true self, which meant getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. In this candid and curious essay collection, he takes a thoughtful, in-depth look at today’s hot-button issues, viewed through the lens of his personal experience. From the evolution of his signature style to an investigative report on the queer history of his hometown, Jonathan reflects on his life and how he has learned to embrace change—doing the work to challenge internalized beliefs, finding compassion and confidence, and learning more about what makes us all so messy and gorgeous.
Balancing the dark and the light, the serious and the madcap, these essays allow us to examine our individual assumptions, expand our horizons, and give ourselves permission to be the flawed and fabulous humans we are.
