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Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life

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In Jonathan Van Ness’ New York Times bestselling memoir Over the Top, he 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 cats). If Jonathan has learned anything from these experiences, it’s that in order to thrive, he had to push past the shame and fear of being his true self. To embark on that journey, he had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

In this candid and curious essay collection, Jonathan takes a thoughtful, in-depth look at timely topics through the lens of his own personal experience—instances that have required him to learn, grow, and back handspring layout to a better understanding of the world around him. He dives deeply and widely—from a poignant reflection on grief and embracing body neutrality to an examination of the HIV safety net and white privilege—to share the ways in which he has learned to embrace change. These stories speak to 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 signature humor that is Jonathan Van Ness, these essays will encourage readers to examine their individual assumptions and expand their horizons. Ultimately, it is about giving ourselves the permission to be the flawed and fabulous humans we are, and loving our stories.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2022

313 people are currently reading
5284 people want to read

About the author

Jonathan Van Ness

9 books1,377 followers
Jonathan Van Ness is a Critics' Choice Award winning, Emmy nominated television personality, podcaster, and hairstylist to the stars. He can be seen starring on Netflix's Emmy Award-winning reboot series "Queer Eye," where he shines as the show's groomer, hair guru and self-care advocate. In addition to "Queer Eye," Jonathan stars on the Emmy-nominated series "Gay of Thrones," (Funny or Die) a witty social commentary series recapping HBO's "Game of Thrones." Launched in 2013, the series just finished its eighth and final season, and garnered Emmy nominations in 2016 and 2018 for 'Outstanding Short Form Variety Series.' Jonathan also continues to work on his passion project, his podcast "Getting Curious," a weekly exploration of all the things Jonathan is curious about. The podcast was listed as one of the Top Podcasts of 2018 by Time Magazine, and won the iHeart Radio Award for Best LGBTQ Podcast. 2018 was a breakthrough year for Jonathan, who realized two new passions - for the arts of stand-up comedy and figure skating. Jonathan is currently on his first worldwide comedy tour "Jonathan Van Ness: Road to Beijing" where he is going for comedy gold. Most recently, Jonathan announced that his revelatory memoir, OVER THE TOP, will be released in September 2019.

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5 stars
2,662 (34%)
4 stars
3,406 (43%)
3 stars
1,496 (19%)
2 stars
173 (2%)
1 star
29 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 769 reviews
Profile Image for leah.
518 reviews3,374 followers
May 7, 2022
i read jonathan’s memoir over the top last year and thought it was such a powerful account of his trauma and the journey of becoming who he is today. while this is an essay collection so obviously a little less personal, you can tell by reading it that jvn is very passionate about these topics, and he approaches them with a great mix of his trademark humour but also candour and seriousness when necessary.

[thank you @harpercollins for the kindly gifted copy!]
Profile Image for chaptersbydani.
127 reviews19 followers
May 2, 2022
To my understanding, JVN prefers neutral or feminine pronouns so that’s what I’ll use.

I don’t want to write this because JVN says that they scroll things mentioning them 🙃 This is probs the hardest review I’ve ever written and I’ll say maybe this book just isn’t for me. JVN has been pivotal to me as I explored my gender identity and am living as a non-binary person in a red state. I’m so so disappointed that this fell flat.
I think I would’ve liked their memoir better. This book is more of a collection of essays about topics JVN is passionate about.

I loved hearing about Quincy’s gay history, JVN’s struggle to have a relationship with a Trump loving dad, and dealing with HIV in the United States. When JVN had relevant life experience and passion, the essays were great.

However, and this kills me to say, JVN often came off as privileged and condescending.

Oh you weren’t ready for fame after the success of your last book even though you already had numerous accomplishments (that were not subtly sprinkled in the build up of the whining)? Oh you spent, at least by what was listed in the text, the equivalent of my student loan debt to realize that clothes don’t bring true happiness after all? You had enough sexual experiences that your oral sex number has a coma in it to realize maybe you were pretty and should recognize that on your own? Okay… I’m not exactly breaking out tissues and emotionally connecting here. There was a lot of (not so) humble bragging followed up by “poor me”!

Although, maybe the sexual exploits comment isn’t fair. JVN has apparently had multiple stints in rehab for sexual compulsion but that wasn’t revealed until much later. The organization and pacing of the essays could have been better.

Then the factual substance of the essays. Shallow. Very shallow. It feels like every “intro to x” topic facebook think piece retyped by JVN. It was a little disappointing. More so, when during the marijuana chapter, JVN’s prime example of white privilege was actually just fourth amendment law functioning exactly the way it’s supposed to (I’m not going to write a treatise on the different between car searches and house searches, warrant requirements, probable cause, etc.) I wish they had dug a little deeper instead of regurgitating Facebooke memes and viral tweets.

I still love JVN. I still love that they’re dipping into authorship- they do have a perspective that is valid and worth sharing. I absolutely love the Getting Curious era— JVN is doing so much more than anyone else to encourage education, learning, and challenging perspectives. This book, to me, was just a miss.
Profile Image for Rach.
580 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2022
A thoughtful exploration of identity, trauma, belonging, and a dozen other topics in 10ish essays. JVN is a masterclass in balancing humor and heartbreak; I could often go from laughing out loud to crying in the same paragraph. 

The subtitle is the core of these essays — they are "observations" from JVN's life. Over The Top was extremely personal and more classically a memoir; while these essays are still personal, they were more often topics they are passionate about and wished to discuss. JVN is candid about the weight and obligation they feel about using their platform and privilege, so I'm not going to begrudge the darling from getting fired up about body neutrality or the queer history of their hometown. 

I will say: if I saw this physical book in someone's hands I would tear it away because BABY GIRL don't you know JVN reads the audiobook?? More narrators should absolutely SCREAM during their audiobook reading thanks for accepting my lukewarm take.

3.5 stars, rounded up purely due to US Women's Gymnastics-rated tangents

Thanks to HarperCollins for an audio ARC!

PopSugar 2022: a book about gender identity
Profile Image for Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile.
2,439 reviews921 followers
December 18, 2024
I enjoyed his first book much more than this. Though he's obviously already done a memoir and I didn't expect a replay, this was more of a giant political rant. While I avidly agree with him on many topics, on several others, he was amazingly misinformed and narrowminded, and many times over just ranted "right-wing/Trump/Republicans BAD"! And mind you, I say this as an anarchist who is neither republican or democrat. There are issues on both sides that I agree with and disagree with. I still applaud him for his advocacy work and trying to better people's lives, but I wish he didn't do it with what felt like borderline hate (even though I know that's a strong word) in his heart. I'm still a huge Queer Eye fan and will always watch the new seasons, and will continue to read the other guys' books (I still have to read Karamo and Antoni's books), I doubt I will read JVN's next book.
Profile Image for Krysta.
39 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2022
If you are the kind of person who hates seeing animals die in movies, don't read this book. Jonathan shares the story of how his cat died, and paw prints on the ledge is not something I can get out of my head. Cat lovers go hard for their cats, and this story really made the rest of the book difficult for me to read
Profile Image for Mic .
111 reviews
April 26, 2022
Thank you for such a wonderful book! Love JVN!
Profile Image for Regina.
157 reviews12 followers
April 24, 2022
I do, indeed, Love That Story (ha, get it?! Whatever, save your groans and eye rolls).

First and foremost, this collection of essays is not a direct continuation of his last book, Over the Top. Where his last book was about his life and upbringing, this is more of an op-ed collection. Maybe that’s a dealbreaker or a letdown for you (like me initially). Hear me out though: this approach makes perfect sense. Since joining the Fab Five, what has Jonathan been doing? Meeting people, learning, hearing new perspectives, adjusting to a whole new way of living life, and making a podcast where he learns about things that interest him. Of course his next book should center around all that he’s learned.

Despite the content shift, this is still told in the same voice we know and love (literally if you listen to the audiobook, which I highly recommend) and his passion for each topic and overall zest for life shines through the whole way. Listening to his audiobooks (or podcast) never fails to make me smile.

Honestly, he could write a book about paint drying and I’m 100% sure I would listen to the audiobook because it would somehow definitely be entertaining.

4/5
Profile Image for That One Ryan.
292 reviews127 followers
October 30, 2023
This memoir has a much different tone then JVN’s first memoir. While the first was a very vulnerable and open view into their life and past, this one was more of a researched dive into topics that affect them, and the wider queer world.

I think both worked well, and while the first memoir resonated more simply based on what I personally look for in memoirs, this one felt strong in its own right. This memoir I think feels more like a dialogue and offers readers great insight and resources for topics that affect many of us: I think there’s something in there for many people whether each essay resonates on its own or all of them do.
For me, the essay on HIV+ safety net resonated the most and even at one point had me stop in my reading because some of JVN’s own experiences with their status were the same as mine and until I read this, felt like maybe I was completely alone in. Again proving that visibility matters.

JVN is a skilled writer, and I think they’ve honed in on a great blend of truth, vulnerability, and humor that works well. Never feeling preachy, though maybe that’s more to do with my shared stances, this memoir is an easy and quick read with lots of valuable insight and opinions.
Profile Image for Jeunesse.
106 reviews6 followers
May 21, 2022
This book is a series of short essays. I enjoyed the essays that felt more like stories. I did not love the essays that felt like lessons.

That said, I love JVN. He has a great passion for important topics and a strong desire to educate others. I personally am on the same page with him about a lot of things, so some of the facts were reinforcing what I knew or believed. I really like his style of writing and highly recommend his memoir, ‘Over The Top’ which had me laughing, crying and feeling all at once.
Profile Image for Gretchen Rubin.
Author 44 books138k followers
Read
October 14, 2022
I'm a big fan of Jonathan Van Ness's energetic style and his ability to strike a light, funny tone while engaging with difficult subjects with great insight.
Profile Image for Cate Tedford.
318 reviews5 followers
Read
January 29, 2024
Jonathan is such a precious human being<3 Their words + story are so powerful! Their storytelling (i listened via Spotify!) is also amazingly animated + entertaining. I love JVN so much it hurts😭 So obvi I loved this read too.

“Seeing ourselves in someone else’s vulnerability makes us feel less alone.”

“Why does it have to be an act of bravery to wear what makes me feel good?”

“None of our bodies are average and our desirability shouldn’t be related to how the world at large views and labels them.”

“It boggles the mind to think of how much bigotry has cost the world by not allowing so many brilliant minds to flourish.”
Profile Image for Murilo Artese.
Author 3 books31 followers
January 11, 2023
JVN is one of the most amazing, interesting, smart and funny individuals we have the pleasure to have on this earth. This book is an absolutely beautiful read! I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Jenn Letak.
112 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2023
Jonathan Van Ness is charismatic, funny, and smart, and I could not imagine understanding all of that without his own narration of his book! I think listening to it made all the difference, and I’m so grateful for this recommendation!!
Profile Image for Sonali Dabade.
Author 4 books333 followers
August 4, 2023
Oh how I love JVN!

Love That Story is a collection of JVN’s essays in which they talk about a range of topics, be it their personal life, grief, handling grief, American history and queer history, politics, allyship, being queer, and so much more. Sometimes, in a book like this, you tend to merely see how the author came to their conclusions or how they handle everyday life. Love That Story is this, yes, and it does all of this gloriously well.

But let me tell you this: Love That Story is also so much more. And the best part about this book is that unlike other books of this type – and I don’t mean that in an ‘I’m not like other girls’ way, I promise – Love That Story complements all of those with heart and honesty and elevates it into magnificence and majesty. A Queen, if you will.

Full, very gushy review up on my blog: https://themelodramaticbookworm.com/2... .
Profile Image for Jennifer Treutle.
21 reviews
May 7, 2022
JVN is perky with depth. It's my favorite combo and with this book they go even deeper and I'm here for it.
Profile Image for Savannah Breedlove.
335 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2022
I love JVN and I will never read any of his books on paper when he reads the audio himself. He always makes me laugh out loud because the way he phrases things is just so... might I say... over the top!

If I could pick someone whose life is a complete 180 of mine, it would be sweet Jonathan. We have pretty much nothing in common, but that's why I liked Over the Top so much!

While Over the Top was a very personal memoir, Love That Story was more of an op-ed on various topics Jonathan cares deeply about. It was a quick read and informative on things I didn't know much about, but this one was just a 3.5 for me! I prefer his personal stories, but audio is still the way to go.

Profile Image for Caitlin R..
342 reviews13 followers
May 31, 2022
I loved Jonathan’s first book, telling their life story and all of the trials they had been through in life. And I loved their second book just as much! This one (while still very personal) goes through essays about topics important to JVN, such as grief, gender, trans rights, racial issues etc. I love to read these kind of essays because, 1) I agree with everything, 2) it teaches me at least one new thing, and 3) gives me insight into the core of who the person writing the essay is. And in this case, I confirmed, that Jonathan is one of the sweetest and most empathetic people ever. It’s nice to read essays written by someone with similar viewpoints as myself (some frequently call me a bleeding heart - I take it as a compliment but I don’t think they mean it that way…).

Anyway, this was lovely and I’m sure I’ll do a re-read on audio too like I did with the first 😂.
Profile Image for Sammi &#x1f33b;.
95 reviews
June 10, 2022
I’m a bit biased because I think JVN is the cat’s pajamas, but SERIOUSLY, he did an amazing job with this books of essays. I loved their first book, Over the Top, I love Queer Eye, and his podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. Jonathan can truly do no wrong in my eyes. They are a potty mouthed, beacon of light and love, and just such an inspiration to me to continue to strive for cultural humility, social justice, and equity and inclusion for all. Also, I recommend audio versions of both books, because this queen’s voice sparks joy for me in a way that nothing else does.
Profile Image for Laila.
1,477 reviews47 followers
May 16, 2022
JVN is such a force for good in the world. Here he examines topics he is passionate about like body neutrality, grief, and the queer history of his small hometown, Quincy, Illinois. I have to say I also learned a lot about our country's criminalization of marijuana and how the HIV safety net in various American states works. JVN does the research!
Profile Image for Kelly Bucheger.
228 reviews
February 28, 2023
If you decide to read this book, please read with your ears and download the audiobook version. I don't think the stories would be as meaningful if you just read it. It was interesting...while I was reading this book, a person I love in my life was sharing their extreme and hate filled views about things that are important to me. It seemed as if once that person shared their views, the next chapter I listened to educated me more on the topic. He even had a whole chapter dedicated to finding a way to love his dad, even though his dad supported a candidate for president who has spewed hatred against marginalized communities. It was so good and helped me heal and educate my loved one even more.
Profile Image for Shannon.
8,295 reviews426 followers
April 13, 2022
I really enjoyed this balanced collection of deeply personal essays by Queer as folk star Jonathan Van Ness. The book covers a wide range of topics, some heavy, some much lighter and humorous. From their standup career, newfound fame, past addictions, marijuana use, being HIV positive, nonbinary, plus trans rights and advocacy and so much more.

If you loved Jonathan on the Netflix series you will appreciate getting to know more about the person behind the giant smile, jokes and fabulous hair. The best part for me was when Jonathan talked about struggling with self worth and self love and how we can't be positive all the time but need to be kinder to ourselves and one another. I really enjoyed this on audio listening to JVN read their story in their own voice. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Marybeth Buskirk.
665 reviews32 followers
June 14, 2024
I preferred Jonathan’s other memoir Over The Top much more than this one, but Love That Story is still good! It was great to see the growth since that memoir and knowing that Jonathan isn’t suffering as much as he did growing up even if there is a lot more for the world to get better at. I especially loved the chapters about their cats and how animal rescue is important to them! Jonathan is truly one of a kind and I just adore them so much! Happy to have read this!
Profile Image for isaac⁷ .
294 reviews44 followers
July 3, 2024
it's great to see a figure like jvn who's been in the public eye for quite some time using his platform to educate themselves, and others, and overall, "create a legacy of joy" (in their own words) for us queer and marginalised folks.

that being said, one-time read and i no longer have any personal attachment to jvn.
Profile Image for Trio.
3,609 reviews206 followers
March 20, 2025
Wow, Jonathan Van Ness knows so much, and they state it all so beautifully in Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life. This one is well titled... these are JVN's "observations", and they are fascinating!

If you haven't read their autobiography Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love it would be nice to do that one first. Ness does describe some interesting tidbits which surround the making, publication, and post life experiences surrounding this autobiography.

If Van Ness' observations appeal to you, I also rec their podcast and NetFlix series. I just adore them - everything they stand for, how they've used their position to amplify queer voices, and just the warm humor Ness uses to talk to us. YAY!

The audio version of Love That Story is stunningly performed by the author. LOVED IT!
Profile Image for Wendelle.
2,046 reviews66 followers
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April 30, 2022
Jonathan van Ness is such a phenomenal, eloquent and meaningful writer. There are some sentences here written with such sharp clarity that they put reality into focus. In these essays, he shares his perspectives, learning and growth on various topics, from the expression and outpouring of grief, the impact of fast fashion on the environment and the impact of commercial fashion on our sense of identity, the impact of body images on self-esteem, the criminalization of marijuana along prejudiced racial lines, the existence of a blooming LGBTQ community in his hometown, the history of AIDS mismanagement by the Reagan administration and the subsequent fierce activism that arose for it during this period, the wisdoms he gleaned from the art and practice of haircutting, and his positions on JK Rowling's trans controversy. In his writings, JVN demonstrates a raw honesty and emotional transparency tempered by his iconic comedic flair.
Profile Image for Raegan .
667 reviews30 followers
October 7, 2022
DNF after 22%

I've never seen Queer Eye. Thought this would be interesting, funny, & possibly insightful. My impression was incorrect.

The beginning went into detail about how he accidentally caused his cats death. I am a cat person & don't enjoy reading about these things, real or not.

Quotes that contributed to me adding this to the DNF shelf include the following:

"I suddenly worry for the second time that day the anxiety shit was about to start running down my legs".

"I want to become so compassionate & educated that I could listen to a full-on QAnon supporter, a rabid Republican, or even someone that believes that a three-in-one shampoo conditioner bodywash is perfectly acceptable. And be able to sit with them, hold space for them, convince them otherwise, all while not ripping my last thirty-seven hairline hairs out in the fucking process".

"...is my butthole lonely"?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 769 reviews

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