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    Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love
    Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love
    Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love
    Audiobook5 hours

    Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love

    Written by Jonathan Van Ness

    Narrated by Jonathan Van Ness

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

    GOOGLE'S BEST AUDIOBOOKS OF 2019

    NPR'S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR

    INDIE BESTSELLER

    GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD WINNER: BEST MEMOIR & AUTOBIOGRAPHY


    A laugh-and-cry-out-loud memoir from the beloved star of Netflix’s Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness, sharing never before told, deeply personal stories of growing up gay, transforming pain into positivity, and embracing what makes you gorgeously different.

    Who gave Jonathan Van Ness permission to be the radiant human he is today? No one, honey.

    The truth is, it hasn’t always been gorgeous for this beacon of positivity and joy.

    Before he stole our hearts as the grooming and self-care expert on Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye, Jonathan was growing up in a small Midwestern town that didn’t understand why he was so . . . over the top. From choreographed carpet figure skating routines to the unavoidable fact that he was Just. So. Gay., Jonathan was an easy target and endured years of judgement, ridicule and trauma—yet none of it crushed his uniquely effervescent spirit.

    Over the Top uncovers the pain and passion it took to end up becoming the model of self-love and acceptance that Jonathan is today. In this revelatory, raw, and rambunctious memoir, Jonathan shares never-before-told secrets and reveals sides of himself that the public has never seen. JVN fans may think they know the man behind the stiletto heels, the crop tops, and the iconic sayings, but there’s much more to him than meets the Queer Eye.

    You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll come away knowing that no matter how broken or lost you may be, you’re a Kelly Clarkson song, you’re strong, and you’ve got this.

    Editor's Note

    Learn from a queer icon…

    Get a behind-the-scenes tour of Jonathan Van Ness’s life before he stole the show on “Queer Eye.” Van Ness has always been so “Over the Top,” but his life hasn’t always been so gorgeous because of it: while growing up gay in the Midwest, he endured ridicule and abuse. Now, of course, he’s an icon for fashion and compassion, especially toward yourself. Revel in JVN’s story and advice.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateSep 24, 2019
    ISBN9780062906403
    Author

    Jonathan Van Ness

    Jonathan Van Ness is a bestselling author, podcaster, comedian, and television personality. He is known for his work as the beauty expert on the Netflix series Queer Eye, for hosting the Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness podcast, and for the web series parody Gay of Thrones.

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    Reviews for Over the Top

    4.5/5

    1,085 ratings49 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Oh my God! I cannot get enough of JVN! What an amazing story and it was so damn relatable! As a gay man myself, his story resonated so much. I didn’t cry but I got very in my feelings. So many of his experiences were mine. I’m on my own journey of healing and this book was the perfect anecdote.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Very heartfelt and well written. I cried a number of times and I felt my heart break at one point. JVN is someone I fiercely admire, and this book was truly courageous.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Aaaamazing! Such a great book. The honesty was so raw and inspiring. Keep being an advocate and spreading the love and joy to others.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      JVN knocks it out of the park with this rollercoaster ride of a heartbreaking, funny, and honest story. Told as though you are his oldest friend, sitting with him on a couch, he invites you into the deepest and most intimate parts of himself. I feel honoured to have been able to read this work of art.
      We love you Jonathan!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Who doesn’t love JVN! I love learning about all their stories and how it opens up more of the community about these guys heroes journey and it’s not impossible for ANYONE.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Serious, funny, tears, laughter, light-hearted, deeply spiritual, and filled with love. Well written. I’d love my son, who is just starting his 20’s, to read this book. Well done, Jonathan.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Waste no more time. Listen right now. Thank you jvn for being so vulnerable and sharing your story with the world.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      What a fantastic story that shares so much insight into overcoming such deep obstacles in one life! Thank you Jack/Jonathan - I adore you! And if I ever see you I’ll ask IF you have time before I ask for a selfie with you!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This was very raw and emotional. Be in a good mindset before hitting those difficult chapters. I cried entirely too much. It doesn’t help that you can hear that he had to of been crying while reading those parts. And in response to his question: I love you even more, you big beautiful butterfly of a man!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Oh, I absolutely loved having JVN narrate their incredible story as an inspiration for and a push to begin my on my own self love journey. I learned. I cried. I giggled.
    • 5/5
      I love it, I’m a seventy something woman, a survivor of abuse and am finally able to look at it. This book has guided me towards a deeper self love.
    • 4/5
      Jonathan's voice is effervescent - it feels like you are making a new bff the whole time and he's telling you his life story. It's not all sunshine and rainbows and though all of his life experiences aren't relatable to me personally, there's such a undercurrent of midwestern, fish out of water trauma that I couldn't help but not along with. JVN is exactly who you want him to be: honest, funny, effervescent and inspiring.
    • 5/5
      Despite everything that JVN went through, it is so awe-inducing how he remains to positive in life and loving of people. Love this and him!
    • 4/5
      This book had a really interesting concept. It was an interesting exploration of jealousy in female friendships. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, though.
    • 5/5
      So entertaining and educational. Loved it! I still love you Jonathan!
    • 4/5
      I LOVE HIM EVEN MORE CUZ OF THIS BOOK. SO SWEET
    • 5/5
      Beautiful and funny storytelling. JVN gives his like story as well as tips for living your best life.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely 100% love JVN and all his layers!! This book only made realize that I love and admire him even more than I already do! His journey is a straight up whirlwind but I’m forever grateful that he’s here and giving himself truly and not giving any fucks about anyone’s view of himself than his own! Keep going Boo and thank you for pushing me to look further for myself as well! ??✨??
    • 5/5
      So honest! Loved every minute of this book and love him!
    • 5/5
      JVN, babe! An absolute doll, a vulnerable icon, Our Queen!
    • 5/5
      Enjoyed getting to know Jonathan ?He has a sweet soul.
    • 5/5
      Sarahi:
      The reason why I read the book was because, at the start of the year, I set myself the goal to read all of the winners for the Goodreads 2019 Awards, this book was a part of them; knowing Queer Eye and loving Jonathan beforehand, (as well as a quarantine challenge), was the final reason for reading this book.
      I decided to listen to it when I found it in the app, and when I saw it was narrated by JVN I knew I had to put my hands on it.
      In my personal opinion, if you want to consume the book you should totally listen to the audiobook as you can literally hear JVN telling you his story, you can feel him more and makes it even more real. I am not going to rate this book since I have no right no rate his life, but I will say that telling his story to the world was something really brave, and I admire him for it.
      Reasons for reading this book:
      -May help you educate yourself about the LGBTQ+ community
      -Growing empathy
      -Getting to know that even famous people, are just people
      And as someone once great said: "Books cure the worst of human diseases: ignorance"
      PS: I gave it 5 stars since the app asks for rating the book so I can publish my review, but know that I still stand behind that I have absolutely no right to rate his story.
    • 5/5
      His pure honesty, vulnerability, and personality struck a cord within me I didn’t know needed soothing. Thank you for sharing your story and inspiring courage within others.
    • 5/5
      This made me love Jonathan so much more. His words about his past humanize him. He is an endless ball of sunshine but he is also so much more. I am glad I listened to his story. I highly recommend listening audiobook because he is the narrator!
    • 5/5
      Such a wonderful story and it was even better because the audiobook was read by JVN himself. Thank you got going so real and open about your life. ❤️
    • 5/5
      A great memoir and fun to read. Interesting to learn about his past and how to overcome his hard time yet still learning.
    • 5/5
      so good! super entertaining and definitely raw. truly enjoyed it..get ready to laugh and cry!
    • 5/5
      Wow what a book and journey. I and very happy I was able to get to hear Jonathan's story. I found connection to my life, struggles, and joy. He did a wonderful job of taking you on his journey.
    • 5/5
      Termine el libro y no solo aún te quiero JV, te amo y admiro aún más!
    • 5/5
      Raw and beautiful. Jonathan shares deeply personal stories that he hopes will help LGTBQ+ young people. Every step of the way his humor and honesty shine a huge light on struggles that young people face and by the journey to self-love and self-care that are the essential antidotes. As a teacher, this book makes me know I've got to take my support for LGTBQ+ youth to a higher level and how massively important a caring community is.