Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love by Jonathan Van Ness
- Publisher: HarperAudio, 2019
- Genre: Biography, LGBTQ+
- Format: Audiobook
- Length: 5h 50m (269 pages)
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Trigger warning: this book contains discussions on sexual abuse and addiction issues.
JVN, thank you for being so honest with the readers in this incredible memoir (and for being the beautiful human you are).
After starting watching Queer Eye this summer (I am late to the game), I fell in love with the show. So when I heard JVN had an amazing memoir coming out, I immediately preordered the audiobook. And it was the best decision I have made in a long time.
Imperfection is beautiful. To anyone who has ever felt broken beyond repair, this is for you. If you’ve ever been excluded, or told you were not enough, know that you are enough, and beautifully complete.
Jonathan Van Ness, Over the Top
Van Ness, the grooming expert on Netflix’s Queer Eye, is one of the most genuine person out there. If you have even the slightest urge to pick this book up, DO IT (I recommend the audiobook)! As sad and horrific as some of the stories within were, Jonathan infused his humour into each sentence, alleviating the pain readers might experience.
How JVN managed to maintain his bubbly self, discuss serious issues and be vulnerable, I do not know. He talked about time with his family, being bullied at school, joining the cheerleading team, attending Aveda Institute, being casted on Queer Eye, etc. Jonathan also opened up about his sex and drug addictions, his status of being HIV-positive, reiterating that “undetectable means untransmittable.” I still don’t know what we have done to deserve JVN’s honesty.
Most of my listening was during long walks, and it felt as though JVN was walking alongside me and telling me his stories. There is no doubt the world needs more JVNs, aka pure-hearted spirits, and if everyone reads his memoir, everyone would become more understanding and better people.
If you think JVN is gorgeous and perfect and cannot get any more so before reading Over the Top, you are so wrong. JVN is a million times more gorgeous and perfect. [6 Oct 2019]
