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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
You know a book is good when it makes you cry. Raw, beautiful, authentic, necessary. Thank you, JVN, for opening up and sharing your world, your life, your authentic self. It spoke to me in ways I didn't know I needed, and I'll take those messages with me.
Note: Three stars, from me, is not a terrible review. Three stars from me is "this was fine, but not really my thing, but I didn't DISlike it."
It's a relatively quick, relatively fun read, and if you're a fan of Van Ness's voice on Queer Eye, it is very much in his voice.
I think, though, that I was looking for something that went a little deeper. He often seems to breeze over the hard things, not shying away from them, mind you, but neither does he seem inclined to examine them too closely. He's being himself, mind you, and that's a good thing but...
Okay, so my youngest niece, right? She's wonderful and bubbly and excited about everything. She and Van Ness would get on like a house on fire. But me, I'm reserved and quiet and generally fairly emotionally flat, at least on the outside, and it took me a long time to realize that my youngest niece was GENUINELY bubbly and excited about everything and that she was not, somehow, making fun of me or putting on an act (she, for her part, thought I didn't like her because, as I said, reserved, quiet, and emotionally flat). It's sort of like that with Van Ness's writing. It's just so different from how I think and narrate my life and process things that I have trouble taking it seriously, but truly believe this trouble stems, not from him being bad at being himself or at writing about being himself, but from a fundamental difference in the way we react to the world. Neither of us is wrong, but this disconnect made it hard, for me, to connect with his writing.
Note: I did love, though, that you can tell (mostly) which names he made up because they're all Russian. That was hilarious.
It's a relatively quick, relatively fun read, and if you're a fan of Van Ness's voice on Queer Eye, it is very much in his voice.
I think, though, that I was looking for something that went a little deeper. He often seems to breeze over the hard things, not shying away from them, mind you, but neither does he seem inclined to examine them too closely. He's being himself, mind you, and that's a good thing but...
Okay, so my youngest niece, right? She's wonderful and bubbly and excited about everything. She and Van Ness would get on like a house on fire. But me, I'm reserved and quiet and generally fairly emotionally flat, at least on the outside, and it took me a long time to realize that my youngest niece was GENUINELY bubbly and excited about everything and that she was not, somehow, making fun of me or putting on an act (she, for her part, thought I didn't like her because, as I said, reserved, quiet, and emotionally flat). It's sort of like that with Van Ness's writing. It's just so different from how I think and narrate my life and process things that I have trouble taking it seriously, but truly believe this trouble stems, not from him being bad at being himself or at writing about being himself, but from a fundamental difference in the way we react to the world. Neither of us is wrong, but this disconnect made it hard, for me, to connect with his writing.
Note: I did love, though, that you can tell (mostly) which names he made up because they're all Russian. That was hilarious.
In this book, Johnathan did a great job of showing his authentic, vulnerable, hard-to-share self and I applaud his bravery. Hopefully this will open up the way for so many people to share their truth, learn from others that they can be their true selves. There are several topics which I believe could have triggering effects on certain individuals, but I didn’t see anything perhaps warning sensitive readers, which would be helpful. There are resources listed in the back, and I found that to be a nice rousing out of the book. Overall, I liked learning more about JVN and also hoped there would be a bit more about how he changed his mindset to be so positive. I’d definitely share this book with a diehard QE fan!
Love this. Funny, honest, gracious. Just like the beautiful JVN
Five stars. This book was exactly what I expected, and more. I read it completely in the voice of Jonathan like he was a beloved friend.
There is a reason, however, that it is called “A Raw Journey to Self Love” because his story is very much so. Like countless other individuals, the difficulties of growing up and dealing with things beyond our control can be frustrating and lead to self-destructive behaviors.
The JVN we know from our computer screens took a long while to get to. And he details it all in this book, laid beautiful and bare. He knows some of it comes as a shock to (us) basic white women who love to watch queer eye, but so much of his story is the story of countless LGBTQ+ youth who struggle with survival, acceptance, and love everyday.
The main lesson he wants us to take from this book is the opportunity to create your own JOY. And truly, that’s what I got. That through all the hard times and hardships and depression and anxiety and uncertainty, you have to be willing to create your own joy.
(I also learned a lot about pivotal moments in women’s gymnastics history.)
** The book has a content warning at the beginning, and I will definitely say it was appreciated. I recommend the book, but do note that it contains content regarding sexual assault and addiction that may be traumatic or triggering for some readers, and includes resources at the back of the book.
There is a reason, however, that it is called “A Raw Journey to Self Love” because his story is very much so. Like countless other individuals, the difficulties of growing up and dealing with things beyond our control can be frustrating and lead to self-destructive behaviors.
The JVN we know from our computer screens took a long while to get to. And he details it all in this book, laid beautiful and bare. He knows some of it comes as a shock to (us) basic white women who love to watch queer eye, but so much of his story is the story of countless LGBTQ+ youth who struggle with survival, acceptance, and love everyday.
The main lesson he wants us to take from this book is the opportunity to create your own JOY. And truly, that’s what I got. That through all the hard times and hardships and depression and anxiety and uncertainty, you have to be willing to create your own joy.
(I also learned a lot about pivotal moments in women’s gymnastics history.)
** The book has a content warning at the beginning, and I will definitely say it was appreciated. I recommend the book, but do note that it contains content regarding sexual assault and addiction that may be traumatic or triggering for some readers, and includes resources at the back of the book.
I love JVN with my whole soul. Omg this book was everything.
I love JVN more after listening to this audiobook. A must if you are a fan and love Queer Eye.
JVN is such a sweet puppy of a person. He has the energy, humor, and exuberance that makes him a great story teller. In this memoir he shares everything from his life as a little gay kid who is obsessed with figure skating and gymnastics all the way to his HIV diagnosis and being cast to Queer Eye. JVN is a ray of sunshine despite all the struggles to find his place in the world.
This was another audiobook read by the author and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite things.
This was another audiobook read by the author and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite things.
