Welcome to Litsy!

I never knew all that JVN has went through and survived! It makes even more amazing that he is the self-loving queen that he is today! Such a great listen!

JVN has had to draw on waaaaaaay more resilience in his life than I‘d realized. I‘m looking forward to hearing them speak next month!

I‘ve been going through a major queer eye phase lately and loved this audiobook. I knew Jonathan had had a hard upbringing in many ways but reading the details was sobering. Really respect the honesty. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think I love this even more than Love That Story. Jonathan tackles childhood trauma, sexual abuse, addiction, and the fallout from all of that with grace, compassion, and humor. His journey towards self-acceptance, self-love, and healing is inspirational. I love his enthusiasm and I appreciate his vulnerability.

This was a fun, affirming listen (he reads it).

I was initially skeptical of this book because I was thinking “they seem so happy! What trauma could JVN possibly have gone through??” And wow fr don‘t judge a book by it‘s cover. He has gone through hell and back to get where he is today and his messages on healing really pulled me out of a dark unmotivated space. READ IT!!

This was short but so amazing. I love JVN and it was wonderful getting an insight into them and how they work.

Starting this audiobook. Hilarious so far 🤣 I love these types of memoirs

Book #15

Even in print JVN‘s unique voice rings through loud and clear. This is funny and heart breaking in equal measures. Very honest, he tackles some very difficult subjects and is very reflective on his life. I wanted more about Queer Eye!

I did love the use of the Russian names to hide real names. 😂

JVN is certainly animated and fun in this memoir, but he also hits some serious notes about the drug and sex addiction he‘s struggled with and the sexual abuse he suffered as a child. I enjoyed his journey from childhood to making it on Queer Eye, but as a memoir connoisseur, this is pretty formulaic for a new celeb. Still a pick because the #audiobook is so well narrated.

This'll make you laugh and cry. Jonathan's story is so interesting, and the book deals with a whole host of issues- stunning read 💚

Wow, what a story, what a journey, what a beautiful human! Jonathan‘s story is one of turbulence and triumph, he goes through so much and continues learn and grow and be an all round positive person! Great read

Just started to listen to jvn‘s sassy and over the top book about his life. It‘s hillarious, sad, inspiring, emotional and very entertaining. I‘m a huge fan of jonathan from Queer Eye, and it‘s facinating to read about his life and upbringing.

This book really goes in to detail, and some of the subjects are a little disturbing, containing both sexual abuse, eating disorder, violence, drug abuse and more. Just a tiny warning.

Realized I never rated this!
I went with the audio version of this book because I knew that no one else but JVN could read this and have that personality come through which it does and if you love him on the show, the audiobook is an extension of that.

I'm still very much in awe that he is warm, loving, nurturing and forgiving so to answer his question “would you still love me if you knew all my parts?“
Yes I would and do! ❤

I read this as an audiobook and I was NOT disappointed. It‘s a very emotional, but empowering story that only JVN can tell.🌈💕🎧

As well as being hilarious, JVN has the rare gift of making you feel like you‘re with a close friend even when he‘s describing experiences totally different from mine. He combines a 6th grade book report about Bill Clinton owing JVN a personal apology with some very dark, painful material about being HIV positive in America today. Without ever being trite or feeling like a cash grab, I genuinely felt that JVN really wants us all to love ourselves.

Yes, JVN is over the top and loud and flamboyant. But he‘s also open and honest and authentic. I admire him so much more now hearing his journey. All the feels. You go queen!

4 hrs today for a total of 11 hrs for #24B4Monday

JVN has truly been THROUGH IT to become the fantastic, caring, self-loving human he is today. I whipped through this, laughed, cried, and just want to give him a big hug and share a box of Timbits (donut holes) with him. He writes as he speaks, and I imagine this would be great on audio!

#cereal #quotsyaug20

🌻 Yes! 100% ready and waiting
🌻 Finished The Man with the Black Valise, which was pretty good; just started Over the Top (tagged) and I'm loving it

@MoonWitch94 #ThoughtfulThursday

I have to put my #BookSpin pick aside for a bit (although it's great so far) because this library hold came in!!! I ❤💛💙💜💟 JVN, such a beautiful soul.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think this was a good choice for a first book back from a reading slump. Leave it to JVN to lift your spirits. Enjoyed learning more about his story and strength. #BookSpinBingo

I have 30 min left of Tuesday here 😅 #two4tuesday

1. ⛸🤸🏻‍♂️🏳️‍🌈🏊🏻‍♂️ 💇🏻😘
2. Yes. I try not to gatekeep reading as a general rule. If it‘s produced in any medium to be read, it should count 👍

#Two4Tuesday

1. Over The Top by Jonathan Van Ness 🦄

2. Sometimes, but I prefer to make recommendations 🤓

I'm using the #24b4monday #readathon as an extra motivator to finish up all the #readingrush prompts, but also anyrhing in my currently reading list is fair game! I'd also love to make sure that I read at least 1 physical and 1 paperback from my owned TBR, and 1 digital library book. If I could also get in a physical library read, that would be great! 😁

Thanks for the tag @Mrs_B !

Hubby bought me the tagged book for Christmas - love JVN, Queer Eye, and the hubby too of course!

1. I guess stocktaking meat in a walk in freezer is a bit unusual. (I‘m an accountant) 🥶
2. A serendipitous meeting with a former colleague that *may* lead to some work. One minute either way and we might not have bumped into each other.

Tagging my ‘new‘ Litsy friends @KVanRead and @ShyBookOwl - want to play?!

JVN is such a national treasure, and I found this memoir so life-giving. He opens the book with a content warning, and I'll echo that...this book goes there in terms of trauma, sexual abuse, homophobia, addiction, cancer, death, and so much more. I listened to the audiobook, and I think that's the way to go with this book, since he's such an engaging speaker telling his own story. 💟

Really enjoying this audiobook so far, I‘m finding I enjoy autobiographies a lot more if I can hear it from the author‘s mouth. Easier for me to get into it.

You need to read this book!

I of course read it in JVN's voice in my head, and I had no idea how much this amazing human has been through in the life to where they are now.

Definitely recommend!

I started this one yesterday and it‘s been very interesting. Believe it or not, I haven‘t watched the new Queer Eye yet so now I‘ve distracted myself from my audiobook here and have been binging Queer Eye episodes tonight.

I thought about whether to rate this ‘pick‘ or ‘so-so‘ for a very long time. Ultimately it‘s a pick because there are some beautiful bits in it that I really connected with. I enjoyed his writing style too but often I was left lost in where we were in his life and what was going on. It felt like it jumped around a lot but I‘m glad I stuck with it.

July 2020 TBR! Into the Drowning Deep, The Unwritten, and Disappearing Earth are being brought forward from June, but I'm well on my way with all three of them, and otherwise I met my June goals, surprising myself quite a bit. July's TBR is probably too ambitious, but here we go. I'm trying to get my focus and attention span back, so this should help. Happy reading! 💜

Ah Jonathan! What a legend. I'm glad everything seems to be going well for him and that he's been brave enough to tell his story. I hope this book finds its way into a lot of hands.

It‘s the last Sunday of Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈 Don‘t stop reading queer books and queer authors when the month is done!

1. @kourtlynrose introduced me to the reboot of Queer Eye and it is utterly delightful. And this memoir by non-binary gay Queer Eye member Jonathan Van Ness was wonderful to listen to.
2. Tamsyn Muir, Gideon the Ninth
3. Akwaeke Emezi, Freshwater

#sundayfunday Have a fabulous day, and don‘t forget to tag me!

I really enjoyed this memoir. Jonathan‘s story is hard and, in many places, sad; but his irrepressible attitude and sense of humor make this book easier to listen to than might otherwise be the case. Up next, Tan France‘s book, Naturally Tan. Yes, I just binge watched season 5 of Queer Eye. 😊 #audiocycling

Today was a day of tornado warnings, rain, and internet outages. It finally stopped raining long enough after 6:00 for me to take a quick walk around the neighborhood. As I was putting the collage together, I realized that my neighborhood looks like a pair of pants on a walking map. 😄 It was nice to be out. #audiowalk

I started listening to this today. It‘s quite affecting, and I love that Jonathan is the one narrating it.❤️

This was the cutest book. I love JVN with my heart and this did not disappoint. My energy has been compared to his and if that is not the best compliment.

Recently, I‘ve been bored with celebrity memoirs.. bleh. But this was entertaining and inspiring. Ultimately this book is about finding the strength to heal from trauma and how to love yourself and honestly, I need to read more books with that message. I love his stories.

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 I loved listening to the audiobook on my dog walks. I think it helps to have watched Queer Eye for a little context at times. He dealt with some tough personal history but in a way that didn‘t become too detailed but still felt honest. Listening to the audiobook I got a little tired of the repeated “I said”s but the content was entertaining. His use of Russian pseudonyms was awesome.

It was entertaining, but I bailed at 80% because I have other borrowed books I want to read, and I'm running out of time.

JVN‘s memoir was so much more extra than I was expecting! I found his story raw (as advertised) but also moving and charming. There‘s trigger warning content a plenty, but this seems like an important addition to LBGTQ+ literature. Thanks @Meaw_catlady for sending me this book! I really adore it! 😍 Did I add that it's super goofy and funny? Because it is! 😂

#DayOne📚

@Meaw_catlady I am so humbled and appreciative of your kind gift! Thank you for the sweet, thoughtful gifts to cheer me up 😍 I‘m super excited to read these books and luxuriate in the tub 🛁 The superwoman mask is a major bonus! You may not know, but Helen Keller is one of my all-time heroes!! Thank you thank thank you 🙏🏽

#LitsyLovesNurses

Jonathan Van Ness has written a courageous memoir about his life so far in which he bares all. It‘s both fun and heartbreaking, warm and educational. I didn‘t love this read but I appreciate the journey that JVN has been through so far – 3 stars.

My full review is up on my blog now 📚

“I have come to learn, though, that the more you love and accept yourself, the less you need other people‘s approval.” “ Basing my worth in how I treat myself despite how others treat me had been the key to my success-and I want that for you too.”

Over the Top is written in the same stream-of-consciousness speech of the JVN we know and love. It was both hilarious and sad, and gave us some insight into the struggles he has faced in his life. I really appreciated him discussing some of the more difficult issues that the LGBT community faces as well as the stigma around being HIV+. This is SUCH an important conversation to have and I loved reading about it. JVN, I appreciate you!