Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love by Jonathan Van NessMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ok, everyone stop what you're doing and go listen to this audiobook if you haven't already. JVN has quickly become my favorite of the new Fav 5 on Queer Eye (on Netflix for those living under a rock). I had heard great things from my coworkers about this audiobook and it absolutely did not disappoint. JVN has a magical way of breaking my heart and then the next moment soothing it and then the next moment cracking me up into hysterical laughter. I've read a lot of memoirs on the topic of overcoming obstacles such as addiction but this book was something more than that. I'm still in awe of how "raw" (an appropriate word for the subtitle of the book) JVN was in writing this, sharing his truth of his early 20s and the mistakes he's made along the way. He shines a brilliant light on the LGBTQ+ community and issues that are still prevalent today despite all the media perception of tolerance and acceptance. I (and I imagine the majority of JVN's fandom) had no idea of his past experiences with drug use, dangerous sexual encounters and his HIV+ status. I don't know of another story of a person living with HIV+ status that has been able to "overcome" the virus and is now undetectable and thus non-contagious thanks to modern medicine. It is truly amazing to know the progress that science has made in the past 40 years whilst media perception has yet to catch up.
I think everyone should listen to this book and hear JVN's story. No one else could narrate this book better and his voice soothes my soul and brightens my day.
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