Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love by Jonathan Van Ness

106 reviews

pacifickat's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

I'm not sure I could have read a memoir about someone with more different life experiences to my own, but here's to a year of reading broadly! 

The audiobook absolutely made this book work for me as a reader. There were so many jokes and moments that relied on anticipating the correct voice intonation in order to completely land, and it was fun hearing JVN's humor come through in the audio narration. Plus, I would have hopelessly butchered all the Russian pseudonyms in my head.

Lots of trigger warnings could be applied to this book (childhood trauma, sexual content, drug use, self harm, bullying, etc.), but I have rarely heard more accurate or compelling descriptions of addictive behaviors and the self-destructive-yet-all-consuming mental state behind them than here. This felt like an extremely honest and open account of the author's most formative life experiences, and I can't help but admire that. 

I also really appreciated learning a bit about AIDS/HIV stigma, treatments, and current positive prognoses when caught early and managed carefully. This kind of information is truly a public service to get out there in the open.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Drug abuse, Bullying, Chronic illness, Self harm, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug use, Cancer, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Dementia, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Death, Sexual assault, and Alcohol

Minor: Eating disorder and Fatphobia

chronicallytck's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Drug use, and Addiction

skstert's review against another edition

funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, and Sexual assault

bebidocrimes's review

emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

This captures Jonathan's voice so so well, it feels like we were just chatting at a coffee shop. I have been told time and time again, directly or indirectly, that I am too loud, I'm too much, I won't stop rambling on and on when I'm excited about something. It just feels so good to be reminded that I can find people who will love me for all that I am. Looking forward to getting my hands on his next book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body shaming, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Cursing, Death, Sexual assault, Vomit, Bullying, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use

marionrosa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Gaslighting, and Sexual assault

Minor: Homophobia

moodreader89's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Drug abuse, Addiction, Cancer, Eating disorder, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Drug use, Homophobia, and Sexual assault

officialdani's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

I love JVN and loved this book! I respect so much him sharing his past struggles with such a mass audience, owning all parts of himself, and celebrating his wins. As he mentions the goal of writing this book, I genuinely believe it will help so many young LGBTQ+ 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Self harm, Addiction, and Cancer

Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Bullying, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Drug use, and Death

Minor: Infidelity, Homophobia, and Grief

abbielizabeth13's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Loved hearing JVN's life story

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use and Sexual assault

sarahs_booknook's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.25

JVN is lovely and has been through a lot. I finished this feeling like it was a light read even though the topics are heavy.  
The structure is a bit flighty as we move very quickly through things so sometimes i was getting lost. There are however some insightful reflective moments. 
Do be mindful of the tw topics as lots are touched on. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Fatphobia and Eating disorder

sarawagistrom's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse and Mental illness

Minor: Sexual assault