If I had to invest money into the stock market, I would buy shares in YouTube.  The main idea of YouTube is for people to share videos to anyone.  It could be a music video of a famous artist, viral funny clips, or (which has become more popular these days) people just sitting in front of their camera talking about anything from makeup to pop culture to an everyday conversation (except it’s one way).  Tyler Oakley is one of these “YouTubers” that has made it big.  Today he has over 8 MILLION subscribers.  He came from a small town in Michigan with not much and has become one of the well known YouTube faces.  He recently has been seen on huge pasteboards across the U.S. and has come out with a book, Binge, and a documentary movie, Snervous.  Both reveal the genuine person Tyler is and these publication are an expression of his personality that captivates you through the screen.

Recently, many YouTubers have been publishing books recounting their journey from small town kids to internet sensations.  They all have their niche varying from the love of the internet, video games, cooking, beauty gurus (someone who knows excessive info about makeup, clothes, etc.), and honestly anything that makes that person unique.  I was resistant to read any of the books because I didn’t know if I wanted to change how I saw these people, as strong and influential.  I talked to some of my friends who had read some of the autobiographies and asked them if there was one to read which would it be.  They said all of them were eye opening to a side of the YouTubers you wouldn’t expect, and recommended I read Tyler Oakley’s book, Binge.

I’m glad I did read it, I honestly would not have known that he previously had an eating disorder or about his history of wrecking every car he has ever owned.  Oakley wrote about his small town in Michigan growing up with not much and struggling being a gay boy within a very straight community as well as his eventual exposure to an accepting world where he could be himself.  He continues to write about his journey to college and adventure with starting a YouTube channel.  I wasn’t surprised to find myself laughing out loud, but it was when I cried towards the end that surprised myself the most because he has been through the worst and I had come to know him as the most bubbly and confident person.  This autobiography was amazing and only added to my appreciation and respect I have for him.  Even if you aren’t into YouTubers, or autobiographies, reading this book is a revelation that just a normal guy has 8 MILLION people watching him sitting in his living room talking about life.

Go read Binge!!