Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life

by Jonathan Van Ness

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Love That Story is the humorous, candid memoir of Johnathan Van Ness. Reflecting on his own experiences, Van Ness addresses difficult topics in an eloquent and introspective manner. Fans of the Queer Eye star will want to pick up this latest book.

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798200856862
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	04/12/2022
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jonathan Van Ness is a hair stylist, podcaster, comedian, and television personality. He is known for the web series parody Gay of Thrones, hosting the “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness” podcast, and as the grooming expert on the Netflix series Queer Eye.

Table of Contents

Now, Where Were We? 11

Chapter 1 Processing Grief 17

Chapter 2 The (Continual) Expression of My Personal Style 37

Chapter 3 Quincy's Queer History 57

Chapter 4 Overcoming Body Issues and Learning to Love My Gorgeous Self 83

Chapter 5 The Devil's Lettuce 97

Chapter 6 A Love Letter to Hairdressing 117

Chapter 7 TERF Wars 137

Chapter 8 Impostor Syndrome 161

Chapter 9 Sorry, Karen 181

Chapter 10 The HIV Safety Net 201

Chapter 11 Fin … for Now 225

Acknowledgments 233

Notes 235

Editorial Reviews

"Stigma and ignorance: two words Van Ness succeeds at erasing if you're curious enough to dig in. You should be." — USA Today

"[Van Ness] is an engaging public figure, and his personality translates well on the page. His ebullient sense of humor and his passion for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice for an increasingly marginalized transgender population inform with spirited ease." — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher