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Inspiration Porn: Essays
Hilarious and bawdy musings on disability, sex, family, and Hollywood, from Emmy-winning writer and creator of the Netflix series Special.
For years, Ryan O'Connell wished he was different. Raised in a small Southern California beach town described as "Laguna Beach with meth," his dad had taken off for greener pastures, and his alcoholic mom packed him lunches that wouldn't win any Top Quickfire challenges. On top of it, he had to be disabled and gay?! Luckily, Ryan always had a love for writing. There, he could “construct the narrative of my life before anyone can construct it for me.” In essays that range from the poignant to the side-splitting, Ryan takes us along as he grapples with addiction, navigates the early days of writing for online media in NYC, and uses his voice to gain entrance into the cutthroat world of Hollywood, where he becomes a sought-after writer and creator. In other essays he asks the very important "Are Straight People Okay?" (short answer is no), explores the battle between your IRL vs URL identity, and ruminates on the healing power of being gay and on vacation. Finally, Ryan opens up his committed relationship and becomes a slut for the first time, keeping a diary of his sexual misadventures, and bravely healing his soul through his hole.
In the tradition of writers like Samantha Irby and David Sedaris, INSPIRATION PORN is a candid and often raunchy look at a life lived without apologies.
For years, Ryan O'Connell wished he was different. Raised in a small Southern California beach town described as "Laguna Beach with meth," his dad had taken off for greener pastures, and his alcoholic mom packed him lunches that wouldn't win any Top Quickfire challenges. On top of it, he had to be disabled and gay?! Luckily, Ryan always had a love for writing. There, he could “construct the narrative of my life before anyone can construct it for me.” In essays that range from the poignant to the side-splitting, Ryan takes us along as he grapples with addiction, navigates the early days of writing for online media in NYC, and uses his voice to gain entrance into the cutthroat world of Hollywood, where he becomes a sought-after writer and creator. In other essays he asks the very important "Are Straight People Okay?" (short answer is no), explores the battle between your IRL vs URL identity, and ruminates on the healing power of being gay and on vacation. Finally, Ryan opens up his committed relationship and becomes a slut for the first time, keeping a diary of his sexual misadventures, and bravely healing his soul through his hole.
In the tradition of writers like Samantha Irby and David Sedaris, INSPIRATION PORN is a candid and often raunchy look at a life lived without apologies.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
About the author
Ryan O'Connell
18 books427 followersRyan O’Connell is a writer and professional feeler of emotions living in Los Angeles. He’s written for Thought Catalog, Vice, The New York Times, Medium, and other publications, as well as for MTV’s Awkward. I’m Special is his first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
October 23, 2025
ARC for review. To be published May 26, 2026.
4 stars
Millennial, writer of books and for TV, actor, gay man, person living with CP…I have not much in common with this man and I had never heard of him or his TV show or books, but I enjoyed this. He comes from a fairly dysfunctional home with a raging alcoholic for a mom and growing up both gay and with CP were two big hurdles for him. He eventually made his way as a blogger, then in Hollywood where he still works today. We read stories about that and about his open relationship with his boyfriend which sounds….complicated. I don’t know that I could do it, but glad it works for them. He mostly seems like a pretty good guy with a nice life.
4 stars
Millennial, writer of books and for TV, actor, gay man, person living with CP…I have not much in common with this man and I had never heard of him or his TV show or books, but I enjoyed this. He comes from a fairly dysfunctional home with a raging alcoholic for a mom and growing up both gay and with CP were two big hurdles for him. He eventually made his way as a blogger, then in Hollywood where he still works today. We read stories about that and about his open relationship with his boyfriend which sounds….complicated. I don’t know that I could do it, but glad it works for them. He mostly seems like a pretty good guy with a nice life.
October 22, 2025
The minute you hear the name Ryan O'Connell, you're likely to think to yourself "Where do I know that name from?"
Likely most known as the Emmy-winning writer/creator of the Netflix series "Special," O'Connell's "Inspiration Porn" likely isn't what you're expecting it to be. As someone who is currently the subject of a documentary where my only request to the filmmaker was to not turn it into "inspiration porn," I'll admit I approached "Inspiration Porn" with slightly different expectations. Once I let go of those expectations, I had quite a bit of fun with this frequently hilarious, even more frequently bawdy, and also incredibly revealing through the life of O'Connell. Disability, sex, family, and Hollywood aren't taboo here. In fact, they're the point.
Raised in a small Southern California beach town, O'Connell's childhood was chaotic even without the basic truths that he was both disabled, with cerebral palsy, and gay. However, O'Connell figured out pretty early on that he had a love for writing and a gift for it.
If you're timid, "Inspiration Porn" isn't likely for you. If you're uncomfortable with fairly open depictions of addiction, being gay, sex, being slutty, and/or just plain real life then "Inspiration Porn" isn't likely for you.
Think Samantha Irby. Think a bawdier Sedaris.
Think O'Connell. I was only modestly familiar with O'Connell's work prior to diving into "Inspiration Porn," a collection of essays surprisingly poignant alongside naughtiness galore.
"Inspiration Porn" is unapologetically free and open, a laugh-out-loud collection that also taps into the emotions and frequently becomes relatable even if you're not gay, disabled, or even remotely talented.
O'Connell is talented. If we didn't know that before, we'll know that after reading "Inspiration Porn."
Likely most known as the Emmy-winning writer/creator of the Netflix series "Special," O'Connell's "Inspiration Porn" likely isn't what you're expecting it to be. As someone who is currently the subject of a documentary where my only request to the filmmaker was to not turn it into "inspiration porn," I'll admit I approached "Inspiration Porn" with slightly different expectations. Once I let go of those expectations, I had quite a bit of fun with this frequently hilarious, even more frequently bawdy, and also incredibly revealing through the life of O'Connell. Disability, sex, family, and Hollywood aren't taboo here. In fact, they're the point.
Raised in a small Southern California beach town, O'Connell's childhood was chaotic even without the basic truths that he was both disabled, with cerebral palsy, and gay. However, O'Connell figured out pretty early on that he had a love for writing and a gift for it.
If you're timid, "Inspiration Porn" isn't likely for you. If you're uncomfortable with fairly open depictions of addiction, being gay, sex, being slutty, and/or just plain real life then "Inspiration Porn" isn't likely for you.
Think Samantha Irby. Think a bawdier Sedaris.
Think O'Connell. I was only modestly familiar with O'Connell's work prior to diving into "Inspiration Porn," a collection of essays surprisingly poignant alongside naughtiness galore.
"Inspiration Porn" is unapologetically free and open, a laugh-out-loud collection that also taps into the emotions and frequently becomes relatable even if you're not gay, disabled, or even remotely talented.
O'Connell is talented. If we didn't know that before, we'll know that after reading "Inspiration Porn."
Did Not Finish
June 30, 2026DNF @ p35
This was a style and concept mismatch for me. I'm sure many other readers will like it though!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚
This was a style and concept mismatch for me. I'm sure many other readers will like it though!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚
May 8, 2026
i rate all works of this nature 5 ⭐️ because it isn’t my place to judge their words, experiences and feelings.
I really liked the vibe of this book. As a millennial, it just gave unapologetic millennial in the best way. The author is so unapologetically himself in every way, and so many of us could take a couple notes of
following on that path.
I enjoyed the audiobook. I feel like I could just chat with him for hours. It was good, pretty light and almost sexually surface level?
My only wishes was more depth. At times I felt like he stayed really surface level to protect himself, which i get.. but as he continued to be unapologetically himself through his entries, i wished i got more of the depth behind the stories. It felt like a diary, which I did enjoy, so that the only piece that was missing for me.
I really liked the vibe of this book. As a millennial, it just gave unapologetic millennial in the best way. The author is so unapologetically himself in every way, and so many of us could take a couple notes of
following on that path.
I enjoyed the audiobook. I feel like I could just chat with him for hours. It was good, pretty light and almost sexually surface level?
My only wishes was more depth. At times I felt like he stayed really surface level to protect himself, which i get.. but as he continued to be unapologetically himself through his entries, i wished i got more of the depth behind the stories. It felt like a diary, which I did enjoy, so that the only piece that was missing for me.
May 29, 2026
I absolutely loved "You're Special... and Other Lies They Tell You" so I thought this one would also be incredibly enjoyable. I don't think essay style is something Ryan should keep pursuing. This book was INSANELY repetitive. The amount of times that it is mentioned he has/had a drug addiction, alcohol addition, hit by a car, and other things is too much. There's even a line in this book that says "these long blog posts should've stayed short blog posts" and that's exactly how I felt about this book. Every time I picked it up to continue, my first thought was "why am I still continuing this". Finishing it felt like a chore. I stayed up late just so I wouldn't have to give it another day. I know this sounds rough but I normally really enjoy Ryan's writing and storytelling but there was something annoying and obnoxious about this book.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2026
Buckle up for a memoir that has a deep beating heart... buried underneath other animal instincts that make this one helluva wild, hilarious ride.
Ryan O'Connell's unique celebrity status as a face (the face?) of being queer and disabled in mainstream pop culture gives him a unique perspective on celebrity, identity, and sexuality. In his second collection of essays about his life, the TV writer, author, actor, and gay person spends some time digging into his own past - addiction, estrangement, blogging - as well as his newfound romantic boundaries with his partner (Spoiler alert, the boundaries have widened!)
O'Connell is unafraid of poking fun at himself, or perhaps stabbing himself with sharp shards of broken glass. The writing is self-deprecating and raw, but it is always full of laughs. He lets you in on the joke so that your guard is down, and then lands the gut punch: the fear of loneliness, the fear of being left behind. The fear of never finding love. The fear of having that love and giving it up for other pleasures.
You don't need to have watched and loved Special or Queer as Folk to savor this work. This exploration of millennial identity - particularly in a disabled, queer body - is worthwhile for an entire generation to discover.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for my gifted copy!
Ryan O'Connell's unique celebrity status as a face (the face?) of being queer and disabled in mainstream pop culture gives him a unique perspective on celebrity, identity, and sexuality. In his second collection of essays about his life, the TV writer, author, actor, and gay person spends some time digging into his own past - addiction, estrangement, blogging - as well as his newfound romantic boundaries with his partner (Spoiler alert, the boundaries have widened!)
O'Connell is unafraid of poking fun at himself, or perhaps stabbing himself with sharp shards of broken glass. The writing is self-deprecating and raw, but it is always full of laughs. He lets you in on the joke so that your guard is down, and then lands the gut punch: the fear of loneliness, the fear of being left behind. The fear of never finding love. The fear of having that love and giving it up for other pleasures.
You don't need to have watched and loved Special or Queer as Folk to savor this work. This exploration of millennial identity - particularly in a disabled, queer body - is worthwhile for an entire generation to discover.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for my gifted copy!
June 10, 2026
The first few essays are a bit rough, but provide a necessary foundation for the excellent two essays that conclude the book. Note, the second last essay takes up almost a third of the entire book - this was my favourite, entitled The Slut Diaries.
McConnell has a finger on the pulse of what it means to be a gay man in this current climate - he’s funny, vulnerable, insightful - I felt seen and understood -
“I think Eli gave me chlamydia.”
“When you are one of the only gays at the wedding it can feel a little bit like social work.”
McConnell has a finger on the pulse of what it means to be a gay man in this current climate - he’s funny, vulnerable, insightful - I felt seen and understood -
“I think Eli gave me chlamydia.”
“When you are one of the only gays at the wedding it can feel a little bit like social work.”
September 29, 2026
I liked it! It was an honest memoir about how messy life gets and talked about gay stuff that nobody else is willing to discuss.
Read
June 3, 2026as someone who's also queer and has cerebral palsy, this book just really struck a chord with me. I had multiple moments of "so it's not just me then"
October 10, 2026
Inspiration Porn is a collection of personal essays by Ryan O’Connell, the Emmy-winning writer and creator of the Netflix series Special. The book covers disability, sex, family, addiction, and his early years writing for online media in New York and later in Hollywood. Its tone is bawdy and candid, and it is often compared to Samantha Irby and David Sedaris.
I went into this book the way you go into a new restaurant when your favourite place is closed, or when you’re bored of the usual menu. I picked a random dish because I had never tried it, and I was wrong. I resented the choice the whole way through. I kept going because I had already paid for it and had invested too much to walk away, and I was still hungry.
The description makes it clear that disability and sexuality are central to the book, but I didn’t read it closely enough before starting. Nothing in it resonated with me: not the narration, not the tone, not the content. The author returned to being disabled and gay again and again, and I kept wondering what I had picked. I finished it regretting every minute.
Nothing against Ryan. He writes about experiences that clearly resonate with many readers, and he has a following that connects with his work. I’m simply not part of that audience.
The lesson I take from this is to read the description and genre tags closely before committing to a book, especially a memoir. I now know that personal essays centred on disability and sexuality aren’t for me, and that realisation will save me time later.
I went into this book the way you go into a new restaurant when your favourite place is closed, or when you’re bored of the usual menu. I picked a random dish because I had never tried it, and I was wrong. I resented the choice the whole way through. I kept going because I had already paid for it and had invested too much to walk away, and I was still hungry.
The description makes it clear that disability and sexuality are central to the book, but I didn’t read it closely enough before starting. Nothing in it resonated with me: not the narration, not the tone, not the content. The author returned to being disabled and gay again and again, and I kept wondering what I had picked. I finished it regretting every minute.
Nothing against Ryan. He writes about experiences that clearly resonate with many readers, and he has a following that connects with his work. I’m simply not part of that audience.
The lesson I take from this is to read the description and genre tags closely before committing to a book, especially a memoir. I now know that personal essays centred on disability and sexuality aren’t for me, and that realisation will save me time later.
May 17, 2026
Ryan O’Connell is voicey, candid, vulnerable, and seriously funny in this memoir/essay collection. Inspiration Porn is ostensibly about what it looks like when life exceeds your wildest dreams, in Ryan’s case as a disabled gay man who has built a shining career as a writer in Hollywood and beyond. But under the surface, there is long-held insecurity, an unstable childhood with an alcoholic mother and checked out father, struggles with intimacy, and his own drug and alcohol problems. Especially on audio, this book reads like a juicy gossip sesh with a friend who has been through it all and is willing to divulge the good, bad, and ugly. Fans of O’Connell’s previous work—from Netflix’s Special to his previous books—will appreciate this deeper look under the hood. And anyone who sees themselves in a millennial, gay, disabled man or who has struggled with self-esteem and intimacy—myself included!—will get something from this great collection. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free ALC in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2026
i have never read something more honest and direct. i always wonder how far a writer will go in exposing himself even when it’s uncomfortable/how far anyone is really willing to go. ryan o’connell goes there.
it’s fascinating to read this back to back with his novel: highly recommend reading the novel then this.
can’t stop thinking about the time i noticed him in ptown and told him i admired his tv show and first set of essays. he was so generous and kind in his response, and i never considered that he was getting bombarded with praise.
anyways, i’m a huge fan. 5’s are rare for me. ryan o’connell is one of my favorite writers.
it’s fascinating to read this back to back with his novel: highly recommend reading the novel then this.
can’t stop thinking about the time i noticed him in ptown and told him i admired his tv show and first set of essays. he was so generous and kind in his response, and i never considered that he was getting bombarded with praise.
anyways, i’m a huge fan. 5’s are rare for me. ryan o’connell is one of my favorite writers.
June 1, 2026
I really enjoyed this story. Ryan writes this story with honesty being candid about his life both positive, negative and everything in between. Dealing with cerebral palsy, substance use disorder, and sexuality. He also explores the struggle of navigating Hollywood both in front and behind the camera. He offers advice that is so hilarious that you forget he is trauma dumping due to his comedic approach which he mentions is due to his processing of his trauma. It was a great read to kick off pride!
August 25, 2026
О'Коннелл — создатель и сценарист сериала Special, где он же играл главного героя. Это третья книга автора после мемуаров I'm Special и романа Just by Looking at Him, и по сути их прямое продолжение. О'Коннелл родился с церебральным параличом, попал под машину, рос с матерью-алкоголичкой. В книге рассказывает о своей зависимости от обезболивающих, старте карьеры в шоу-бизнесе, жизни и работе гея с инвалидностью в Голливуде, и в финальной части — про открытые отношения с партнёром и дневник сексуальных приключений (Slut Diaries). О'Коннелл выворачивает ярлык inspiration porn наизнанку: вместо того чтобы вдохновлять кого-то своей стойкостью, он подробно и без прикрас описывает, каково жить в теле, которое общество либо жалеет, либо героизирует, но почти никогда не видит просто как тело.
Шутки и абсолютная самоуверенность на месте, и даже чересчур; слишком много утомительных подробностей и неймдроппинга про Голливуд; а сам формат самоироничных квир-мемуаров в целом куда удачней у того же Седариса.
Шутки и абсолютная самоуверенность на месте, и даже чересчур; слишком много утомительных подробностей и неймдроппинга про Голливуд; а сам формат самоироничных квир-мемуаров в целом куда удачней у того же Седариса.
April 29, 2026
Vulnerable, hilarious, witty, and unabashed. As a self determined Gen Z I was a little concerned reading this and understanding basically every reference
June 8, 2026
a quick read to-and-from work. was cracking UP, very vulnerable and raw. the audiobook was perfect, was like i was listening to a friend talk for hours :)
October 5, 2026
Heartbreaking hilarious and too many moments were I snort laughed
April 23, 2026
I love reading anything that Ryan writes! He is an amazing writer! This collection of essays were funny, heart breaking and amazing. Thanks NetGalley!
September 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Ryan O'Connell for giving me access to this eARC!
I requested this book because I adored Just by Looking at Him and was intrigued by O'Connell's non-fiction works. This collection of essays was truly very funny and honest. I had a wonderful time reading about his relationship and his growth, and my heart went out to him when he discussed addiction, his accident, and toxic friendships. This collection solidified that O'Connell is so much more than his outward appearance and his abilities, he is absolutely capable of it all.
I do think there is a specific audience for this book and it may not be me. I am not always one who loves to read about sexcapades, as intriguing as they may be, but I know there are many out there who will be glued to the pages.
A solid 3.5 stars but definitely just not my niche, I still regard O'Connell as a very talented writer!
I requested this book because I adored Just by Looking at Him and was intrigued by O'Connell's non-fiction works. This collection of essays was truly very funny and honest. I had a wonderful time reading about his relationship and his growth, and my heart went out to him when he discussed addiction, his accident, and toxic friendships. This collection solidified that O'Connell is so much more than his outward appearance and his abilities, he is absolutely capable of it all.
I do think there is a specific audience for this book and it may not be me. I am not always one who loves to read about sexcapades, as intriguing as they may be, but I know there are many out there who will be glued to the pages.
A solid 3.5 stars but definitely just not my niche, I still regard O'Connell as a very talented writer!
May 31, 2026
Fans of Ryan O’Connell’s Netflix show *Special* will definitely appreciate this deep dive into his life before and after the show. *Inspiration Porn* is Ryan’s autobiography, where he openly discusses growing up as a millennial with cerebral palsy and dealing with addictions. He covers his childhood, family, relationships, sex, drugs, body image, writing, and Hollywood.
Like *Special*, O’Connell uses humor to tackle topics that are not often discussed in mainstream media. He also narrates this audiobook, and I appreciated his honesty and openness. His humor can be quite raunchy, and at times, I found myself really wanting to hear his story without that facade. However, since this is his personal story, it’s somewhat unfair to criticize how he chooses to tell it.
As a queer, disabled person, much of his story is relatable. I believe it resonates beyond disability, addiction, and sexuality — it’s really more of a coming-of-age story for Mmllennials. It’s about learning to accept who you are, persevere, and find your chosen family. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a review of the audiobook.
Like *Special*, O’Connell uses humor to tackle topics that are not often discussed in mainstream media. He also narrates this audiobook, and I appreciated his honesty and openness. His humor can be quite raunchy, and at times, I found myself really wanting to hear his story without that facade. However, since this is his personal story, it’s somewhat unfair to criticize how he chooses to tell it.
As a queer, disabled person, much of his story is relatable. I believe it resonates beyond disability, addiction, and sexuality — it’s really more of a coming-of-age story for Mmllennials. It’s about learning to accept who you are, persevere, and find your chosen family. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a review of the audiobook.
May 29, 2026
Ryan O'Connell is probably best known for his TV work on shows like Queer as Folk and Special. I've never seen his shows, so my first introduction to O'Connell came when I read his debut novel, Just by Looking at Him, a couple of years ago. Only after reading and learning a bit more about the author did I realize that much of that story mirrored aspects of his own life.
Like the protagonist of that novel, O’Connell is a gay man living with Cerebral Palsy. He's been candid about his struggles with addiction, self-worth, and navigating the world with a disability. His writing blends sharp humor, vulnerability, and a willingness to engage with darker subjects without ever losing sight of just how absurd life can be. It made Just by Looking at Him a standout read and left me eager to explore more of his work. That opportunity has finally arrived with Inspiration Porn, a collection of autobiographical essays that promises the same honesty, wit, and unflinching self-examination that made his fiction so compelling.
Much of the first half of the book centers on O’Connell’s past. He writes about parents who fell out of love, a mother struggling with addiction, and a father who was off chasing the life he had always wanted—a life that, at least initially, didn’t seem to include his family. Amid all of this, O’Connell was grappling with being both disabled and gay. Through his trademark humor, he often frames it as if the universe had singled him out for an especially cruel joke. Couldn’t he have been just one of those things?
It should come as little surprise, then, that he eventually found himself struggling with addiction as well. Throughout those difficult years, writing became a refuge. On the page, writing for blogs and then TV, he found a place where he could be honest about who he was. It became a source of freedom, connection, and self-acceptance.
While much of this first section was compelling, it also felt like stories I'd heard before. It was in the second half of the collection that O’Connell truly took us into something different. There’s a universal experience many queer people can relate to. So much of our formative years are spent coming to terms with our sexuality that we don’t always get the chance to fully embrace it. I think about the occasional pang of jealousy I feel when I see queer teenagers going to prom together. I'm thankful that the world has evolved enough for them to feel safe doing this, but it's an opportunity that simply wasn’t available to me.
O’Connell explores a similar feeling after meeting his longtime partner, Jonathan. Just as he begins settling into a committed relationship, he’s struck by the fear that he may have missed out on an entire chapter of his life. It’s a kind of FOMO of sexual exploration. In true Ryan O’Connell fashion, he tackles that anxiety with equal parts humor and honesty, chronicling the decision to open his relationship and the resulting adventures in what he calls his "Slut Diaries."
As many laughs as there are in this portion of the book, it would be easy to overlook its deeper exploration of boundaries—of desire, emotional well-being, physical limitations, and, most importantly, the strength of a long-term partnership. Throughout it all, O’Connell maintains the balance of humor, chaos, vulnerability, and authenticity that makes his voice so distinctive. His life may look very different from that of many readers, but the emotions driving these essays are universal. The longing for connection, the fear of missing out, the struggle to accept ourselves, and the desire to be truly seen transcend the specifics of O'Connell's story. Inspiration Porn is the work of a writer willing to venture into uncomfortable territory—for himself and for his readers—and the result is a book that will have you buckled with laughter in one moment and deep in contemplation the next.
Like the protagonist of that novel, O’Connell is a gay man living with Cerebral Palsy. He's been candid about his struggles with addiction, self-worth, and navigating the world with a disability. His writing blends sharp humor, vulnerability, and a willingness to engage with darker subjects without ever losing sight of just how absurd life can be. It made Just by Looking at Him a standout read and left me eager to explore more of his work. That opportunity has finally arrived with Inspiration Porn, a collection of autobiographical essays that promises the same honesty, wit, and unflinching self-examination that made his fiction so compelling.
Much of the first half of the book centers on O’Connell’s past. He writes about parents who fell out of love, a mother struggling with addiction, and a father who was off chasing the life he had always wanted—a life that, at least initially, didn’t seem to include his family. Amid all of this, O’Connell was grappling with being both disabled and gay. Through his trademark humor, he often frames it as if the universe had singled him out for an especially cruel joke. Couldn’t he have been just one of those things?
It should come as little surprise, then, that he eventually found himself struggling with addiction as well. Throughout those difficult years, writing became a refuge. On the page, writing for blogs and then TV, he found a place where he could be honest about who he was. It became a source of freedom, connection, and self-acceptance.
While much of this first section was compelling, it also felt like stories I'd heard before. It was in the second half of the collection that O’Connell truly took us into something different. There’s a universal experience many queer people can relate to. So much of our formative years are spent coming to terms with our sexuality that we don’t always get the chance to fully embrace it. I think about the occasional pang of jealousy I feel when I see queer teenagers going to prom together. I'm thankful that the world has evolved enough for them to feel safe doing this, but it's an opportunity that simply wasn’t available to me.
O’Connell explores a similar feeling after meeting his longtime partner, Jonathan. Just as he begins settling into a committed relationship, he’s struck by the fear that he may have missed out on an entire chapter of his life. It’s a kind of FOMO of sexual exploration. In true Ryan O’Connell fashion, he tackles that anxiety with equal parts humor and honesty, chronicling the decision to open his relationship and the resulting adventures in what he calls his "Slut Diaries."
As many laughs as there are in this portion of the book, it would be easy to overlook its deeper exploration of boundaries—of desire, emotional well-being, physical limitations, and, most importantly, the strength of a long-term partnership. Throughout it all, O’Connell maintains the balance of humor, chaos, vulnerability, and authenticity that makes his voice so distinctive. His life may look very different from that of many readers, but the emotions driving these essays are universal. The longing for connection, the fear of missing out, the struggle to accept ourselves, and the desire to be truly seen transcend the specifics of O'Connell's story. Inspiration Porn is the work of a writer willing to venture into uncomfortable territory—for himself and for his readers—and the result is a book that will have you buckled with laughter in one moment and deep in contemplation the next.
October 2, 2026
Incredibly annoying and mostly dull book from an author who has an unreasonably high sense of being better than others ("my Michael Jordan self-esteem" he calls it) and boasts of being a successful writer but can't seem to put a cohesive narrative together (despite saying "as a writer, you always want a clear narrative"). There's nothing clear about this other than that it's pretty worthless and not inspirational at all (with one major exception!).
If anything, this detracts from any empathy the author may be given because of his disability. Stubborn, loud-mouthed, offensive, obnoxious, delusional, and showing signs of mental illness. You could blame it on his years of alcohol abuse or drug addiction, but I just blame it on his lack of character and thinking he's the smartest person in the room to compensate for being different from most people. The book proves how unintelligent he is by making bad choices about most things in life, demeaning others in a snarky sassy style, and gleefully bragging about his sexcapades.
I do appreciate one thing--his lengthy diatribe on alcoholism and the fact that it's destroying people. In a chapter entitled "We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Drink," O'Connell points out that alcohol is actually poison (I had to look it up, but he's right!) and "alcohol is addictive. Period. And with enough exposure, anyone can develop a drinking problem."
I could quote much more from his insights into why people shouldn't drink, but it's something you won't read very often from excuse-making memoirists who want to claim it's genetic or that others are to blame. O'Connell tackles it head-on, pointing out drinking is a "toxic influence on society," adding, "We're in a collective chokehold, dissuaded from interrogating our relationship (to alcohol). It's not dissimilar to a cult."
I wish the entire book would have been this insightful and I encourage you to read that chapter alone. But in the rest he wastes his vacuous life on other things, from illegal drugs to random hookups, until his salvation comes in his male partner, with whom he has an "open relationship." "It's about finding someone who makes being alive easier." An odd conclusion considering a drug dealer, rent boy, or bartender could also make his life easier, if that's his top criterion. Heck, he could even hire a personal assistant to match that definition. And it would help his relationship credibility if he hadn't eventually fallen in love with his massage therapist and his partner drew the line.
O'Connell's longest chapter is "The Slut Diaries" and it details many of his hookups over a three-year period as a middle-aged man who isn't satisfied with his committed gay partner (who he rarely has sex with). Those sixty pages meet every stereotype about what's wrong with queer relationships, yet the author tries to belittle anyone who categories him based on his disabilities or sexual choices. Hey, buddy, are ARE disabled with limitations and you ARE making choices that would offend many (including your partner), so why are you so upset when people treat you the way you are? He also bottoms for dozens of random guys yet bemoans that they "think of me as a hole." Again, that's what you're presenting yourself as, so why be upset when that's how they treat you?
He's not just an average hypocrite, he thinks himself better than others intellectually and judges or stereotypes everyone. Ryan O'Connell represents all that's wrong with so many men. He is the definition of shallow, though he believes anyone who criticizes him is homophobic and insensitive to his disabilities. Grow up, get your mental illness treated, and learn about the real world.
Next book I recommend he writes should go deep into the alcohol culture and his recommendations on how to stop the cliff most people jump off of to accept membership in the poisonous cult. Dump the porn and focus on true inspiration.
If anything, this detracts from any empathy the author may be given because of his disability. Stubborn, loud-mouthed, offensive, obnoxious, delusional, and showing signs of mental illness. You could blame it on his years of alcohol abuse or drug addiction, but I just blame it on his lack of character and thinking he's the smartest person in the room to compensate for being different from most people. The book proves how unintelligent he is by making bad choices about most things in life, demeaning others in a snarky sassy style, and gleefully bragging about his sexcapades.
I do appreciate one thing--his lengthy diatribe on alcoholism and the fact that it's destroying people. In a chapter entitled "We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Drink," O'Connell points out that alcohol is actually poison (I had to look it up, but he's right!) and "alcohol is addictive. Period. And with enough exposure, anyone can develop a drinking problem."
I could quote much more from his insights into why people shouldn't drink, but it's something you won't read very often from excuse-making memoirists who want to claim it's genetic or that others are to blame. O'Connell tackles it head-on, pointing out drinking is a "toxic influence on society," adding, "We're in a collective chokehold, dissuaded from interrogating our relationship (to alcohol). It's not dissimilar to a cult."
I wish the entire book would have been this insightful and I encourage you to read that chapter alone. But in the rest he wastes his vacuous life on other things, from illegal drugs to random hookups, until his salvation comes in his male partner, with whom he has an "open relationship." "It's about finding someone who makes being alive easier." An odd conclusion considering a drug dealer, rent boy, or bartender could also make his life easier, if that's his top criterion. Heck, he could even hire a personal assistant to match that definition. And it would help his relationship credibility if he hadn't eventually fallen in love with his massage therapist and his partner drew the line.
O'Connell's longest chapter is "The Slut Diaries" and it details many of his hookups over a three-year period as a middle-aged man who isn't satisfied with his committed gay partner (who he rarely has sex with). Those sixty pages meet every stereotype about what's wrong with queer relationships, yet the author tries to belittle anyone who categories him based on his disabilities or sexual choices. Hey, buddy, are ARE disabled with limitations and you ARE making choices that would offend many (including your partner), so why are you so upset when people treat you the way you are? He also bottoms for dozens of random guys yet bemoans that they "think of me as a hole." Again, that's what you're presenting yourself as, so why be upset when that's how they treat you?
He's not just an average hypocrite, he thinks himself better than others intellectually and judges or stereotypes everyone. Ryan O'Connell represents all that's wrong with so many men. He is the definition of shallow, though he believes anyone who criticizes him is homophobic and insensitive to his disabilities. Grow up, get your mental illness treated, and learn about the real world.
Next book I recommend he writes should go deep into the alcohol culture and his recommendations on how to stop the cliff most people jump off of to accept membership in the poisonous cult. Dump the porn and focus on true inspiration.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! #MacAudio2006
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
In this memoir, Ryan O'Connell (from Netflix’s Special and Peacock’s Queer as Folk reboot) muses about his life as a millennial in the social media era. This memoir is set after he has completed both shows, and illustrates how cutthroat Hollywood can be. He talks about his personal safe haven of Provincetown, spending time there with both his blood family and chosen family. He discusses his writing career as an opportunity to construct his own narrative, and represent himself when no one else would. Lastly, he discusses his open relationship, and how that has shaped his understanding of himself.
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: this memoir is equal parts raunchy and awkward; and that’s exactly what made it so much fun to listen to. There’s no stone left unturned in this memoir: family and personal substance use and addiction, coming to terms with queer identity, identifying as a sexual being and not limited to his cerebral palsy, and everything in-between. I was a big fan of Special, so listening to this audiobook being narrated by the author himself only added to the quirky and queer humor. There were laugh-out-loud anecdotes and hijinks moments, but there were also periods of deep reflection on addiction, sexual orientation, and relationship fulfillment. O’Connell doesn’t want to be your inspiration p0rn, he’s doing just fine tysm. He’s known for his authenticity and passionate storytelling, including humor that gay millennials will absolutely love, making him one of the most compelling queer voices of a generation. I strongly recommend giving this one a read, listen if you can!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
🖤 loved the dark humor in Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died
🙄 hate hearing any marginalized group being asked, “where do you get all your confidence from?”
💻 had a LiveJournal, whether you want to admit it or not!
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
In this memoir, Ryan O'Connell (from Netflix’s Special and Peacock’s Queer as Folk reboot) muses about his life as a millennial in the social media era. This memoir is set after he has completed both shows, and illustrates how cutthroat Hollywood can be. He talks about his personal safe haven of Provincetown, spending time there with both his blood family and chosen family. He discusses his writing career as an opportunity to construct his own narrative, and represent himself when no one else would. Lastly, he discusses his open relationship, and how that has shaped his understanding of himself.
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: this memoir is equal parts raunchy and awkward; and that’s exactly what made it so much fun to listen to. There’s no stone left unturned in this memoir: family and personal substance use and addiction, coming to terms with queer identity, identifying as a sexual being and not limited to his cerebral palsy, and everything in-between. I was a big fan of Special, so listening to this audiobook being narrated by the author himself only added to the quirky and queer humor. There were laugh-out-loud anecdotes and hijinks moments, but there were also periods of deep reflection on addiction, sexual orientation, and relationship fulfillment. O’Connell doesn’t want to be your inspiration p0rn, he’s doing just fine tysm. He’s known for his authenticity and passionate storytelling, including humor that gay millennials will absolutely love, making him one of the most compelling queer voices of a generation. I strongly recommend giving this one a read, listen if you can!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
🖤 loved the dark humor in Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died
🙄 hate hearing any marginalized group being asked, “where do you get all your confidence from?”
💻 had a LiveJournal, whether you want to admit it or not!
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I requested this ARC because couple of years ago I read Ryan O’Connell’s novel Just By Looking At Him and really enjoyed it.
I appreciated the MMC’s snarky sense of humor and now after reading this memoir, I realize that although it was fiction, the MMC was Ryan.
This book started out showing a huge amount of vulnerability discussing a difficult childhood and having a mother who turned into a complete alcoholic after his parent’s divorced.
I enjoyed it and related a lot.
I respected him being able to write out personal things for strangers to read.
It kind of read like something from Augusten Burroughs or David Sedaris, but in the voice of a Millennial.
I started to lose interest in the middle of the book.
It talked a lot about the cutthroat entertainment industry; I used to live in LA and know enough about “the industry” to know that I’d never want to work in it.
LA and NYC are both places where you can be very well paid, yet judged and treated like crap everyday.
The rest of the book was mostly about his sexcapades.
Hear me out, I am FAR from a prude!
I used to have a job that put me in hotel rooms in random cities and countries and sure, I had certain apps on my phone.
And now part of my job is encouraging gay men to get on PrEP if they aren’t already.
I’d never judge anyone for hooking up, drinking too much, or having an eating disorder because I’ve filled all of those shoes at certain junctures in my life.
I kind of just wish he’d focused more on the solution versus “war stories”, but at the same time, I know what sells the best at the end of the day in Hollywood.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and especially Ryan O’Connell for providing me with an ARC to review!
I appreciated the MMC’s snarky sense of humor and now after reading this memoir, I realize that although it was fiction, the MMC was Ryan.
This book started out showing a huge amount of vulnerability discussing a difficult childhood and having a mother who turned into a complete alcoholic after his parent’s divorced.
I enjoyed it and related a lot.
I respected him being able to write out personal things for strangers to read.
It kind of read like something from Augusten Burroughs or David Sedaris, but in the voice of a Millennial.
I started to lose interest in the middle of the book.
It talked a lot about the cutthroat entertainment industry; I used to live in LA and know enough about “the industry” to know that I’d never want to work in it.
LA and NYC are both places where you can be very well paid, yet judged and treated like crap everyday.
The rest of the book was mostly about his sexcapades.
Hear me out, I am FAR from a prude!
I used to have a job that put me in hotel rooms in random cities and countries and sure, I had certain apps on my phone.
And now part of my job is encouraging gay men to get on PrEP if they aren’t already.
I’d never judge anyone for hooking up, drinking too much, or having an eating disorder because I’ve filled all of those shoes at certain junctures in my life.
I kind of just wish he’d focused more on the solution versus “war stories”, but at the same time, I know what sells the best at the end of the day in Hollywood.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and especially Ryan O’Connell for providing me with an ARC to review!
August 9, 2026
I've been a fan of Ryan O'Connell's writing, acting, and Insta stories for years, but this is the first thing of his I've given five stars. It delivers all the performative, raunchy, chaotic overshares that make his work so entertaining, but this one surprised me with a warmth and vulnerability that feels new and earned. Beneath the horny wit and humor at the surface water, runs a cooler current. The complexities of growing up around addiction, sharp perspectives on success and purpose, and really astute advice on treating hardship and anxiety as part of life's texture instead of something to outrun. It all kind of culminates in widsom that an inspiring life isn't built on money, sex, or career, it's built on being open to connection.
I ended up highlighting more in this book than anything else on my Kindle, because so much of it landed personally. It's specific to the gay millennial lived experience, spoilers from our collective trauma therapy included, in a way that I suspect won't fully translate for everyone. That's actually part of why I love it. He's not writing to be universally understood by a wide audience, and that specificity is exactly what makes it work. I literally discovered the Provincetown chapter while in Provincetown myself.
With that said, if Ryan O'Connell and Lena Dunham had a baby, I'd be afraid for humanity, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
My only critique: the essay format means it jumps around, so some of the context shared is repetitive and makes the flow feel disorderly.
Based on the title and cover, I didn't expect to take away so many feels. I can't wait to get my hands on whatever he makes next.
I ended up highlighting more in this book than anything else on my Kindle, because so much of it landed personally. It's specific to the gay millennial lived experience, spoilers from our collective trauma therapy included, in a way that I suspect won't fully translate for everyone. That's actually part of why I love it. He's not writing to be universally understood by a wide audience, and that specificity is exactly what makes it work. I literally discovered the Provincetown chapter while in Provincetown myself.
With that said, if Ryan O'Connell and Lena Dunham had a baby, I'd be afraid for humanity, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
My only critique: the essay format means it jumps around, so some of the context shared is repetitive and makes the flow feel disorderly.
Based on the title and cover, I didn't expect to take away so many feels. I can't wait to get my hands on whatever he makes next.
September 1, 2026
There is something undeniably millennial about Ryan O'Connell's writing and personality. This dry sense of humor that never feels laugh out loud funny, but so quick and witty. O'Connell's writing has a way of making me feel at home, because the way he speaks "Writes", is the way I speak with my friends, and the way he adds one liners, and hilarious observations to give a little bite to his musings is so very nostalgic to me. This essay format as opposed to a traditional memoir, or fiction like his other books, especially harkens a very millennial vibe. Almost like long forms of the listicles he used to write as a blogger.
I enjoyed the book, and found it to be a quick read that felt like a pallet cleanser to some of the heavier stuff I've been reading this year. O'Connel has a way of mixing vulnerability, with humor, shock value and tenderness all together to create a unique and singular read. There's plenty of sex, heart and wit in this short book, that there's a bit of something for everyone.
I did feel that the essays began to get a bit repetive as I went on, and topics are circled back to quite a lot, usually with not a whole lot of new insight to add, and so I wish there had been a bit more diversity in the essays overall. Yet, I liked how open and honest O'Connell was about his life with CP, and ultimately how that sort of rules his life in so many different ways. Something able bodies people likely would never think about. It gives us permission to peek inside the mind of someone we probably want to ask a lot of inappropriate questions to if we met him. He's answered them, so now we don't have be that person.
This was a fun read.
I enjoyed the book, and found it to be a quick read that felt like a pallet cleanser to some of the heavier stuff I've been reading this year. O'Connel has a way of mixing vulnerability, with humor, shock value and tenderness all together to create a unique and singular read. There's plenty of sex, heart and wit in this short book, that there's a bit of something for everyone.
I did feel that the essays began to get a bit repetive as I went on, and topics are circled back to quite a lot, usually with not a whole lot of new insight to add, and so I wish there had been a bit more diversity in the essays overall. Yet, I liked how open and honest O'Connell was about his life with CP, and ultimately how that sort of rules his life in so many different ways. Something able bodies people likely would never think about. It gives us permission to peek inside the mind of someone we probably want to ask a lot of inappropriate questions to if we met him. He's answered them, so now we don't have be that person.
This was a fun read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4!
I decided to pick up Inspiration Porn since I had read Ryan O'Connell's novel a few years back and loved it (5 stars!). In retrospect I'm not sure if a memoir/essay collection was quite the right pick for me since I'm not a huge nonfiction person, but overall I had a good time with this one. O'Connell brings a unique perspective to working in Hollywood and media - I really enjoyed hearing about what it was like working in "listicle" media since that time period of the internet feels somehow both like it was forever ago but also how was that already 12+ years ago??
I read this via audio, which is narrated by O'Connell himself which I really appreciate as it adds so much to the experience. This collection of essays had a constant mix of serious topics along with lots of jokes and more light-hearted moments mixed it. This mix didn't always land for me unfortunately, but I will say that this combination did make the heavy topics that were being discussed (alcohol and drug abuse, ableism, difficult family relationships, among some others) feel less intense.
I haven't picked up O'Connell's previous nonfiction nor have I watched his show Special or some of the other projects he's worked on, but I get the feeling if you are a fan of these and want a further look behind the curtain you'd really enjoy this as well. That being said, considering I'm not one of those people I don't think you have to be a previous fan to get something out of this one either.
I decided to pick up Inspiration Porn since I had read Ryan O'Connell's novel a few years back and loved it (5 stars!). In retrospect I'm not sure if a memoir/essay collection was quite the right pick for me since I'm not a huge nonfiction person, but overall I had a good time with this one. O'Connell brings a unique perspective to working in Hollywood and media - I really enjoyed hearing about what it was like working in "listicle" media since that time period of the internet feels somehow both like it was forever ago but also how was that already 12+ years ago??
I read this via audio, which is narrated by O'Connell himself which I really appreciate as it adds so much to the experience. This collection of essays had a constant mix of serious topics along with lots of jokes and more light-hearted moments mixed it. This mix didn't always land for me unfortunately, but I will say that this combination did make the heavy topics that were being discussed (alcohol and drug abuse, ableism, difficult family relationships, among some others) feel less intense.
I haven't picked up O'Connell's previous nonfiction nor have I watched his show Special or some of the other projects he's worked on, but I get the feeling if you are a fan of these and want a further look behind the curtain you'd really enjoy this as well. That being said, considering I'm not one of those people I don't think you have to be a previous fan to get something out of this one either.
June 4, 2026
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press & Macmillan Audio. These honest opinions are my own
I would give more stars if I could just for the mere bravery of how he put himself out there. I think I found a new bestie. This was such a wild ride and if I learned anything from this, don't drink alcohol. I witnessed it almost destroy this brilliant human being. We are so lucky that he pulled through all his obstacles because now we get to experience his incredible wit, humor, and love that flows through each page.
I felt the honesty as if I was talking to one of my closest friends. I also witnessed his mistakes and he owned them, while it can be so easy to sweep them under the rug. This brings me to Jonathan. OH he has to be some kind of special. There was a part I wanted to throw my book, but even as Ryan explained the situation, I felt how strongly Jonathan felt for Ryan. Everyone needs a Jonathan.
I laughed so hard, I cried just as hard, but more than anything, I felted honored to be able to read this and be a part of so much he experienced. The good the bad and literally everything in between and beyond.
Highly recommend the audio, it is read but the one and only Ryan. This was the first time I did not have to speed it up at all!
꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂
𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙪𝙧𝙚. 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 “𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙛” 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙪𝙧𝙚.
𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛. 𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙.
I would give more stars if I could just for the mere bravery of how he put himself out there. I think I found a new bestie. This was such a wild ride and if I learned anything from this, don't drink alcohol. I witnessed it almost destroy this brilliant human being. We are so lucky that he pulled through all his obstacles because now we get to experience his incredible wit, humor, and love that flows through each page.
I felt the honesty as if I was talking to one of my closest friends. I also witnessed his mistakes and he owned them, while it can be so easy to sweep them under the rug. This brings me to Jonathan. OH he has to be some kind of special. There was a part I wanted to throw my book, but even as Ryan explained the situation, I felt how strongly Jonathan felt for Ryan. Everyone needs a Jonathan.
I laughed so hard, I cried just as hard, but more than anything, I felted honored to be able to read this and be a part of so much he experienced. The good the bad and literally everything in between and beyond.
Highly recommend the audio, it is read but the one and only Ryan. This was the first time I did not have to speed it up at all!
꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂
𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙪𝙧𝙚. 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 “𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙛” 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙪𝙧𝙚.
𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛. 𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Inspiration Porn marks a maturation of Ryan O'Connell's voice as well as a willingness to push deeper and introspect without the limitation of keeping things light and bloggy. It's still silly, of course, but lacks the Millennial shield reflex to laugh everything off (we've truly suffered). This book is about the time in your life where you become more comfortable with not laughing it off and still choosing to do so because processing and happiness can coexist. I think this is a real boon for contemporary Gay Guy Lit which is a noble cause to root for in this day and age (where did all the gay guy writers go?).
The section on coming-of-age through a LiveJournal account had me vibrating. That era was captured perfectly, soundtrack and all. Much of this book is grappling with reality vs construction/wanting to be vs being- a central tension of a generation that grew up broadcasting their own reality tv shows through microblogs.
Refreshingly backing off from making grand conclusions, this book is more about sharing the experience and leaving room for humanity. Discussions of eating disorders, addiction, sexcapades, and family are never scolding or apologetic.
This is an easy recommend to gay readers and anyone who is interested in the essay/memoir space.
Advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and St Martin's Press/Macmillan which does not influence my opinions or review.
The section on coming-of-age through a LiveJournal account had me vibrating. That era was captured perfectly, soundtrack and all. Much of this book is grappling with reality vs construction/wanting to be vs being- a central tension of a generation that grew up broadcasting their own reality tv shows through microblogs.
Refreshingly backing off from making grand conclusions, this book is more about sharing the experience and leaving room for humanity. Discussions of eating disorders, addiction, sexcapades, and family are never scolding or apologetic.
This is an easy recommend to gay readers and anyone who is interested in the essay/memoir space.
Advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and St Martin's Press/Macmillan which does not influence my opinions or review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved Ryan O’Connell’s novel Just by Looking at Him when I read it a few years ago. So I was excited to pick up this collection of essays and experience Ryan’s voice in a nonfiction setting. Overall I just had a blast reading this. While some of the subject matter can be heavy, like discussing drug and alcohol addiction, difficult family members, and more, it’s all delivered in a humorous and accessible way.
Queerness, body image, disability, sex, open relationships, Hollywood, and so much more are covered throughout the book. I definitely appreciate how frank and honest Ryan is when giving a peak behind the curtain at different media outlets or TV shows or relaying stories that sometimes aren’t the most flattering.
I listened to this on audio, and I’d highly recommend consuming the book that way. Ryan narrates it himself and his energy, inflections, and overall performance really heightened the experience of reading the book.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Queerness, body image, disability, sex, open relationships, Hollywood, and so much more are covered throughout the book. I definitely appreciate how frank and honest Ryan is when giving a peak behind the curtain at different media outlets or TV shows or relaying stories that sometimes aren’t the most flattering.
I listened to this on audio, and I’d highly recommend consuming the book that way. Ryan narrates it himself and his energy, inflections, and overall performance really heightened the experience of reading the book.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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