Love That Story
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Creating a legacy of joy is important to me.” says Jonathan Van Ness in his second book, and damn if he doesn’t deliver! I have never watched or read anything he’s been part of without it bringing a smile to my face. Love That Story is a series of essays rather than a memoir like his first, so it’s somewhat less personal than Over The Top was. That being said, JVN is still willing to dig deep into his own life as well as the various topics he chooses to write on. Each essay was thoughtful, well-written, and incredibly entertaining. I read it on kindle but I think that was a rookie mistake - the obvious choice here would have been to listen to him narrate the audio version.
Go get this book and save it to read or listen to a chapter at a time at your favorite coffee shop or bar. Whether JVN is focused on harder topics such as the rise of transphobia or simply his style
evolution over time he handles each with his signature mix of wit and care. You’ll get at least a couple of giggles out of every chapter, but never feel like a topic is being made light of. There was no contest when it came to pairing the book - JVN has a signature cocktail! I accidentally doubled the club soda but it was light and refreshing without being too sweet. 10/10 drink, and one I’ll make again.
The Van Ness
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces vodka
4 blackberries
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce agave nectar
2 ounces club soda
1 rosemary sprig, for garnish
Combine the vodka, blackberries, lemon juice, and agave nectar to a shaker with ice. Shake it well and strain into a Tom Collins glass filled with ice. Top it off with club soda and don't forget to garnish with a rosemary sprig!
