Thursday, February 10, 2011

First Step 2 Forever

This is it. The first step to…well, a whole new kind of book club experience.


We are four professional women with varying backgrounds, beliefs, and insights. We share a common goal: to have a wonderful time with each other pouring over the absurdities of life. The Ironic Book Club was born to fulfill that goal.


The IBC owes its beginnings to a wonderful discovery by founding  member, Emma Bootle. Imagine our delight when she heard that we could order four copies of the autobiography of Justin Bieber at an incredible price. We had to dive in. Certainly the deconstruction of such a piece of literature warranted our full and serious attention. In this blog and those that follow, we invite you to come along with us as we take an inquisitive look at writings that, in all reality, deserve no attention or acknowledgement. Oh, the irony!


Who we are (in our own words):

Emma  Bootle: I am thirty-something woman on a journey of self-discovery to be a better person. With the books that we take on in this book club, I will, no doubt, become one of the most well-rounded people in the world.

Erica DeMint: Who is Erica DeMint? I'd like to think that those who know me best would be able to accurately describe my character and nature and, when asked, would thoughtfully reply, "Some girl I know."

Fiona Libsack: I am a voracious learner on a life-long quest to become an all-knowing, well-rounded, hip human being. Impossible?? I say NOT!  My membership in the ironic book club has provided me valuable insight into the human psyche as it relates to pop culture addiction, pre-teen fascinations and the fortitude of mankind to continue reading publications that offer very little literary value. Oh lets face it --- it's just fun to read books that we know we shouldn't!

Gloria Stauff: I like to think that people can see beyond my blatant sexuality to see me for what I really am: an introspective and sensitive deep thinker. Though I have nowhere the life experiences of oh, let's just say, a Justin Bieber, I do think that I bring to the table some profound insights that only a middle aged, somewhat overweight matron with questionable ancestry is able to provide.  A First Step 2 4ever meets Last step til eternity, if you will.  Read on!




For our first IBC session, we chose to examine First Step 2 Forever by youtube sensation and pop star Justin Bieber. In this work, Bieber chronicles his rise to stardom from humble beginnings as a street busker in Canada including his family influences, mentorship from his manager, and his growing fan base including so many beautiful GIRLS!


Unfortunately, at our first meeting we were not ready to record our insights, but you can listen below for a quick recap:





Should your own book club choose to examine First Step 2 Forever, we hope that the following questions will guide your thorough analysis. Happy reading!


Questions:
1. First Step 2 Forever is an autobiography written by a 16 y/o.  What is your reaction to this?  Can teenage authors make an impact through their writing on society at large?  Contrast the tone of First Step 2 Forever with other teenage works (The Diary of Anne Frank, I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced).
2. What do you think is the driving motivation for Bieber to publish this book?
3. Consider the book's intended audience.  What will the audience gain from reading this work?  What audience has Bieber left out by declaring in his opening words, "Every one of you is "My Favorite Girl" for a different reason..."
4. Who are Bieber's early influences?  What role did each of these people play in his early development?
5. What are some of Bieber's musical influences?  How did the variety of musical styles he experienced in his young life impact the music he performs today?
6. Bieber writes in a specific style to connect with his intended audience.  Select a passage from First Step 2 Forever to read aloud to the group that typifies that style.
7. Consider yourself as a pre-teen and young teenager.  Who were your musical influences at that time?  What differences and similarities to your own teenage idols and Bieber?
8. Bieber gained popularity through the use of social media.  In an industry in which technology is constantly changing, what role do you feel social media will play in introducing new artists in the future? What strategies would you use to introduce new musical artists into popular culture?
9. What most surprised you about Bieber's journey?
10. The title of the book implies that Bieber is at the beginning of something.  What do you think the future holds for him?
Bonus Question: WTF?!!!!

1 comment:

  1. FIRST!!

    My guess (and it's just a guess -- I haven't read the book) is that more thought went into your discussion questions than the entire book.

    I would like to suggest you disclose the titles of future Ironic Book Club selections so that your internet audience can read along with you and have a greater appreciation for the insights you share.

    Oh wait... I think I know the next book... It's...

    Never-mind; I'm not ironic enough to read it.

    ReplyDelete