First Step 2 Forever: My Story - Justin Bieber

The Gist

First Step 2 Forever
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I feel like the gist of this one is pretty self-explanatory, but for those of you who would like the explanation, here we go.  This book is an autobiography of sorts.  Written by none other than pop-sensation Justin Bieber, First Step 2 Forever: My Story chronicles his rise from small town boy to world-wide wonder. 


What We Think

Reviewed by Living Destiny

Number of Pages: 240
 Before I start the review, I just want to get this out there: I did not read this under my own free will.  I was brutally forced into reading this by…well actually all three of my fellow reviewers.  So I read it.  In one sitting.  In three hours.  If I hadn’t been reading it under duress, I would have put this off for at least three months, and then stretched out the reading of it for at least one more month.  So the fact that I’m sitting here reviewing this right now is all kinds of incredible.

Ok.  Review time.  I wasn’t exactly going into this book with high hopes.  I mean, it’s an autobiography from a kid who has more music credits to his name than years in his life.  Of course, it does have less than 300 pages, so I guess the length corresponds to his teenage-ness, but it’s still pretty bizarre.  But I was still incredulous, because there’s only so much life you can jam into sixteen years.

So, as for the writing style, it’s not too great.  I wasn’t expecting it to be stellar or anything, because it wasn’t written by a famous author but a famous singer.  And, for once, it was actually about what I had expected.  However, it wasn’t extraordinary by any stretch of the imagination.  I understand the theory of writing like you would speak, to make the writing seem more like a real conversation, but there are some things you really don’t write down in book form.  Like ‘hella’.  Or putting things in all caps locks or in bold to make a point.  That’s ok occasionally, but once every five pages is just annoying.  Sometimes it seemed like he was trying too hard to make his folksy swagger shine through his writing.  If you’re trying that hard to get something across, it’s clearly not working.  So you should stop.  Immediately.

I found myself laughing at a lot of the book.  In not a good way.  And a small part of me felt bad for it, but most of me just found it funny.  I think I was laughing at the pictures.  This book should be a picture book, not a novel.  There was a picture on every other page, and sometimes there was one big picture spanning two pages.  I never wanted to see so many pictures of Justin Bieber, and there they were, condensed into a 300 page book.  Also, the font was huge.  For no apparent reason.  If this book was published as an actual novel, and not a picture book for tweens, I doubt it would break 120 pages.  Oh, and the book jacket is a secret double agent.  When you take it off and unfold it, it becomes a Justin Bieber poster.  Does anyone else see that as a bad sign?  This book was written for the following reasons: 80% publicity, 14% actual interest in writing it, and 6% striving to put out more pictures of ‘the Biebs’.  And I found those pictures to be pretty hilarious.  On one page, there’s this three picture montage of Justin Bieber without his shirt, beautifully showcasing his squishy mid-section.  And as an added bonus, he seems to be grabbing his crotch (in the classic masculine pose).  Hooray!

I know I’ve been bashing his book, but I do have to give him some credit for it.  First of all, writing a book is a difficult task to accomplish, especially an autobiography.  Since he doesn’t have any experience with writing, it makes it more impressive.  Also, there were a few sections in there that made me smile in a not-spiteful way.  Which was nice.  I made fun of him a lot while reading this, but I appreciated some of the things he said.  The best part of this whole book is definitely his story.  He really did come up from nothing.  His story proves that you truly can do anything if you have passion for it.  Writing it into a book gets it out there for everyone to see.  This is one of those stories that can inspire anyone to shoot for the stars, even if your dream seems too far away.  I really admire what he has accomplished for himself.  So that’s a pleasant plus.

Just some random facts: he references Chuck Norris at least seven times throughout the story.  Clearly this kid has a Chuck Norris obsession.  Also, some of those pictures make him look extremely feminine.  I’m not trying to be offensive, but it’s really true.  Sorry.  And just one more: he can’t count.  At one point he’s making a list, and he skips the number five.  He comments on that in number seven, but it doesn’t make up for the fact that he went from four to six.  At least he was self-deprecating.  It’s always good when you can laugh at yourself.  Alright, it’s 11:45 and I totally just said ‘ they’re beliebing’.  This book has brainwashed me.  I’m probably going to dream about Justin Bieber tonight.  When I finally get to sleep.  No more!  I’m done!  I ‘beliebe’ that this review is over!

Real Teen Rating~ C -: Read it if you’re bored…