
Love That Story
Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life
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Narrated by:
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Jonathan Van Ness
About this listen
The Emmy-nominated host of Netflix’s Queer Eye follows up his New York Times-bestselling memoir, Over The Top, with this collection of thought-provoking essays on grief and healing, cannabis reform, LGBTQIA+ rights, imposter syndrome, personal style, the HIV safety net, and of, course, how to make your hairdresser love you.
In his New York Times-bestselling memoir Over the Top, Jonathan van Ness 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 five cats).
If Jonathan learned anything from the painful life experiences, it’s that in order to thrive, he needed to push past the shame and fear of being his true self, which meant getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. In this candid and curious essay collection, he takes a thoughtful, in-depth look at today’s hot-button issues, viewed through the lens of his personal experience. From the evolution of his signature style to an investigative report on the queer history of his hometown, Jonathan reflects on his life and how he has learned to embrace change—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 madcap, these essays allow us to examine our individual assumptions, expand our horizons, and give ourselves permission to be the flawed and fabulous humans we are.
©2022 Nathan Johan (P)2022 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
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Naturally Tan
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Beyond what I could’ve expected
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Karamo
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Overall
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Performance
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An insightful, candid, and inspiring memoir from Karamo Brown - Queer Eye’s beloved culture expert - as he shares his story for the first time, exploring how the challenges in his own life have allowed him to forever transform the lives of those in need. When Karamo Brown first auditioned for the casting directors of Netflix’s Queer Eye, he knew he wouldn’t win the role of culture expert by discussing art and theater. Instead, he decided to redefine what “culture” could - and should - mean for the show. He took a risk and declared, “I am culture.”
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All about how great he is
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Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction." She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income. In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail.
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Unexpectedly poor narration
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
There is a voice of longing inside each woman. We strive so mightily to be good: good partners, daughters, mothers, employees, and friends. We hope all this striving will make us feel alive. Instead, it leaves us feeling weary, stuck, overwhelmed, and underwhelmed. We look at our lives and wonder: Wasn’t it all supposed to be more beautiful than this? We quickly silence that question, telling ourselves to be grateful, hiding our discontent—even from ourselves.
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Shockingly shallow and self-centered
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Performance
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Story
Cody Rigsby has a lot of opinions: Kevin is the hottest Backstreet Boy; grape jelly is a crime against nature; if you wear flip-flops in New York City, you do not love yourself. But if there is one opinion—one truth—that he holds above all others, it’s that we shouldn’t let the fear of looking stupid or being judged hold us back from living our best lives.
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This book GIVES MAIN BOOK ENERGY!
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The Light We Carry
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Performance
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Story
There may be no tidy solutions or pithy answers to life’s big challenges, but Michelle Obama believes that we can all locate and lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux. In The Light We Carry, she opens a frank and honest dialogue with listeners, considering the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What tools do we use to address feelings of self-doubt or helplessness? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much?
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Very Disappointing—Too Ego-filled
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Pageboy
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- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
“Can I kiss you?” It was two months before the world premiere of Juno, and Elliot Page was in his first ever queer bar. The hot summer air hung heavy around him as he looked at her. And then it happened. In front of everyone. A previously unfathomable experience. Here he was on the precipice of discovering himself as a queer person, as a trans person. Getting closer to his desires, his dreams, himself, without the repression he’d carried for so long. But for Elliot, two steps forward had always come with one step back.
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Ah, I wish this were better. I'm disappointed.
- By Jackson Theofore Keys on 06-07-23
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The Big Reveal
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- Unabridged
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This book is a quilt, piecing together memoir, history, and theory into a living portrait of an artist and an art. Sasha Velour illuminates drag as a unique form of expression with a rich history and a revolutionary spirit. Each chapter strips off a new layer, removing one tantalizing glove and then another, to reveal all the twists and turns in the life of a queen. As Sasha recalls her own journey, from the women who raised her, to learning the craft of an artist, to success, disaster, and more, she also uncovers the history of queer life around the world that made it all possible.
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Much more than expected
- By Anonymous User on 05-22-23
By: Sasha Velour
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Unprotected
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- Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Story
It’s easy to be yourself when who and what you are is in vogue. But growing up Black and gay in America has never been easy. Before Billy Porter was slaying red carpets and giving an iconic performance in the celebrated TV show Pose; before he was the Tony Award-winning star of Broadway’s Kinky Boots; and before he was an acclaimed recording artist, actor, playwright, and all-around diva, Porter was a young boy who didn’t fit in.
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I didn't know his name
- By Julie Newkirk on 01-04-22
By: Billy Porter

Editor's Pick
What listeners say about Love That Story
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- Maverick’s Trove
- 02-20-23
Love That Story
I really enjoyed this book! I love JVN on Queer Eye and was happy when I found out he had written 2 books.
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- M. Kerbs
- 08-18-22
Love Him
I love him and his message. I liked his first book more, but that is not to say this one wasn't as good.
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- Kindle Customer
- 04-27-22
1000 Stars
So eye opening and educational! It honestly makes you really rethink your thoughts and actions
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- Brittany Marcum
- 12-31-22
Just what I needed to end 2022…
I could not be more grateful for Jonathan writing this book in all of his truth and humanity. He is not a super hero, or living the perfect life, or immune to heartbreak. He is human just like the rest of us, with the same chapters of turmoil and personal battles, that challenge him every day to continue in deciding who he wants to be in those moments of adversity, showing grace and humility to himself when it’s hard, and feeling through it all with the reminders of being present through the process as best he can.
I feel so seen and heard through his sharing of internal shame battles and self criticism, while learning to challenge that voice and redirect the thought path. This was such a breath of fresh air, and just the little reminders and support I needed to hear from one of the amazing humans on earth that I’ve come to love so much, like family.
Thank you Jonathan, for speaking your truth once again, and being so vulnerable to show your humanity. I know I’m not the only one who loves you so much and is so grateful to hear you use your voice to connect us all so deeply and remind us that we are one in the same.
I truly loved this story. 🫶🏼❤️
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- ST
- 02-06-23
New perspective on current hot topics
The historical context here provided deeper understanding and excellent talking points for difficult conversations with friends and family who are not yet on the acceptance bus. I also gained appreciation for the challenges of serving as a public beacon of positivity while being a real human with a private life. I laughed, cried, and learned. I have deep affection and gratitude for anyone willing to share so much of their authentic self with the world. Once again, JVN shares their gorgeous light in a way that only they can. Muah.
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- Kellye
- 06-02-22
Loved this!
Love Jonathan. He gives heartfelt insights into many of the difficulties that we face in society. I have gained new meaning frames into the puritanical ideas I was raised with…and will be a better person for it.
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- Sam Are
- 06-15-22
Exactly what I needed. Happy Pride!
I cried and laughed so much, and both those emotions are deeply cathartic and healing. Gorgeously read, with all the candor and energy that only JVN can bring. I feel so inspired and empowered. Loved this story ;)
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- Rachel Gorsuch
- 11-13-22
Fire and Other Emotions
Finished it in less than a day. I laughed, I cried, and it reignited a fire in me to recognize my privilege and wield it for good.
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- Lindsay L.
- 04-14-22
Omg, they’re full of good reads!!
JVN is raw, fierce, kind, and funny and shares great stories from start to finish. Getting to hear them narrate they’re own book was even better! Way to land the triple axel, JVN!
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- Jack
- 04-19-22
All my love to JVN
I will always gobble up my enby queen's content. Love and appreciate you so much!
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