Reading YouTubers

I am fascinated by the people who are making money from social media. It all started with the one and only Jenna Marbles of the glorious YouTube. Back then, I was watching her videos just cause I thought they were hilarious (I sill do! Her old stuff though). The magnificent World Wide Web kept 'suggesting' channels to me and people to watch and I quickly got into a spider web of youtubery. It has become my own psych project: what does this person do in order to make 3 million people tick? I'm still working on it but my research did lead me to two books written by, surprise-surprise, YouTubers. 

I am not subscribed to Jennxpenn's (aka Jennifer McAlister) channel. I think she is a great girl but just not what I usually would spend 10 minutes of my life on. I picked her book because (judge all you want) the title was fitting and catchy. Here is why: I think youtubers are so used to coming up with the titles for their videos that when they release a book they follow the same pattern: simple words -> short -> can be read and understood by a 10 year old. But Jennifer here chose a different route. That is why her book "Really Professional Internet Person" caught my attention. 

The book itself was very simple (irony, am I right?). I did not care much about it until one turning chapter: SPOILERS AHEAD. The part of the book where she talks about being hacked did not only move me - it made me quite scared too. A teenager, going through the time where all her personal information is online: credit card info, address, passwords to all her accounts, and more. The chapter was such a breaking point both in a book and, from what it looks like, in her life. For the courage of the author and for the sake of the desire of going on, I would give this book a 3.7 out of 5. 

"A work in Progress" by Connor Franta was a very fast read. It was enjoyable, nevertheless. He got me on the second page where he talks about his parents who met doing Peace Corps. I mean, come on. HEART STRINGS PULLED OVER HERE. Unlike Jennxpenn, Franta took a very different approach to his book: he talked about feelings (mostly), omitting the full-on timeline of his success. I kind of liked it and was disappointed at the same time. Let me explain. Feelings are great. And it is fascinating to read about people who reached success at such an early age and now are milking it like it is their job (well, technically, it is. Ha). Where Jenn had step-by-step ladder of a story - Franta had a carousel of reactions. Both together would make a great book but I guess quality writing is a tad different from making a quality YouTube content. For the cuteness of Connor himself and the attempt at being raw, I give this book a 4.1 out of 5. 

I'm still watching youtubers as much as I can. I am still trying to figure out the algorithm. Jennxpenn's channel is pretty great - you should check it out! She actually loves the production, therefore her videos are very nicely edited. They are like an ice-cream for your eyes. Connor Franta is still my fav. His instagram will make you want to cry out of joy because you didn't even know that there is so much beauty in this word. 

So there you go. If you know a secret to a social media domination - please share. Although, I would understand if you would prefer keeping it to yourself.. But I have Ukrainian chocolate.. So think about it :)