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Over the Top cover art

Over the Top

Written by: Jonathan Van Ness
Narrated by: Jonathan Van Ness
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Publisher's Summary

New York Times Best Seller

Google's Best Audiobooks of 2019

NPR's Favorite Books of the Year

Indie Best Seller

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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Jonathan Van Ness (P)2019 HarperAudio

What the critics say

"Jonathan Van Ness narrates his hilarious and moving memoir with all the bright energy he's known for - no one but the queer icon himself could narrate his story.... Van Ness holds no emotions back as he shares the impact of that trauma, along with the difficulty of growing up femme and gay, learning of his HIV-positive diagnosis, and recovering from addiction. His voice shakes as he shares a powerful truth with listeners: 'We are never too broken to heal.'" (AudioFile Magazine)

"There is plenty to laugh at in the ways Van Ness frames his story - like protecting the identities of his loved ones, exes, fellow drug addicts and johns with 'Russian aliases' like Doroteya and Sergei and Helenskaya; or layering pop-culture references with the ways they formed him, as many queer comedians and artists do. But it is his candid articulation of his evolving relationship with himself, his acceptance of who he is, that brings the one-liners their sweetness. His narration, as pithy and 'over the top' as his beloved TV persona, is incredibly endearing. The battles that Van Ness has waged against the darker corners of his soul to become the bright light we know today provide the necessary context for this book to shine." (The New York Times Book Review)

What listeners say about Over the Top

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Raw and Beautiful

This book had me laughing and crying the whole time. I can not describe the journey this book takes you on. JVN put it all out there and it was so raw and so beautiful. I would recommend to anyone!!

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I love JVN

I had respect for Jonathan before but after reading this book it’s only more amplified. He exposes his vulnerabilities and struggles in this book that most people in the LGBTQ+ community would never share publicly. He’s now in a relationship and married and seems to be really happy. I can’t speak for the entire LGBTQ+ community, but Jonathan really gave me hope for our future generations to embrace their personalities, interests, and values and still achieve success compared to some of us who have remained hidden from society for years.

Also, Jonathan narrates this book and makes it so much more personal. Full 5’s across the board. Love you JVN!

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Great audiobook as JVN reads it herself, would 100% recommend

Easy listen.
Hard stuff.
Inspiring and authentic.
A little heavy on the figure skating references haha.

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Super amazing and gorgeous :inside and out

Love Jonathan and everything THEY stand for . I am so happy to live my life better and full of more love because of this inspiring biography!💝💕💝🦄💗🧡💙💛💝💕💗🧡💙💛

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  • bre
  • 2020-01-06

I love these guys' stories

this was so hard to stop reading. also hilarious. also inspiring. highly recommend. 10/10 would read again

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An inspiration.

This book is Genuine and Raw. Loved hearing his story in his voice. It made me see issues people face on a daily basis through different eyes.

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love it!

loved hearing Jonathan's story from himself. I finished listening to this after 2 days. highly recommend!

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love love love love

listening to JVN's honesty and vulnerability filled me up with so much joy. I feel like I learned so much about their life and struggles, which made me appreciate their content and art even more. such a great listen!

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Slayed the discourse and story telling

Like sitting on the couch ( queer eyed placed and coifed) listening and talking with your friend JVN. Many cups of coffee, riveted and engrossed in learning about this genuine heart in front of me. I hate auditory stories, this was a first!! yass, queen , you slayed this!! Honey, this is give us queen vibes and we want more!!!

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  • Jo
  • 2020-05-12

Extremely empowering

Absolutely love this book it felt like he was talking to me and reading my story thank you Jonathan love you

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