YouTube has given the stage to almost anyone that wishes to share their interests through video. Since all you need is a video camera and an internet connection, it’s not surprising that so many of us are having a go and new YouTube stars are appearing every week. From cat videos to language lessons, funny pranks to niche hobbies, there’s something for everyone on YouTube. Two of the more popular forms of uploads are video commentary and vlogging (video blogging). These videos usually have a comical or satirical theme. They have also taught us that people are not afraid to share!
In recent years we’ve seen the rise of celebrities in both the UK and US. Video game commentators the Sidemen, vlogger Zoe Suggs and US sensation Taylor Oakley are a few of the most successful. With subscribers to the most popular channels in their millions and views of their video content reaching close to a billion, these young YouTube stars are finding their way into to the hearts and homes of teenagers around the world.
The Book
With this level of success, it was only a matter of time before the commercial deals followed, and cash in on their fame they did! TV shows, films, music, merchandising and of course the book deal. Barely a week goes by without an appearance from a YouTube star in the best sellers list.
According to the daily bot, a book deal is the “sign of success for established YouTube personalities”, and with the number of sales, you’d have to agree. However, with this amount of success, not everyone is happy. There are those that believe that it is ruining the publishing industry.
Are these stars really overshadowing actual writing talent? The Guardian explores this problem in their article Video Killed the Book Star.
It’s OK to Talk
Why have they become so popular? One element that a lot of these YouTubers have in common is that they share the most intimate details about themselves and their lives. Topics that in the past were perhaps taboo are now discussed openly and candidly including depression, eating disorders and sexuality. This generation doesn’t want to suffer in silence so they’re finding their own way to deal with their problems. A YouTube channel helps to create an open community in which you can participate and share your own experiences. Nowadays it’s widely accepted that through sharing we realize that we’re not alone and it reinforces our sense of belonging.
Today, young people are telling us that it’s OK to talk about “it”, and that’s exactly what they are doing. Many of the popular YouTube personalities publish their memoirs, highlighting the struggles and dilemmas they’ve faced to get to where they are. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. The majority of these topics are usually treated with a good dose of humor! And what better medicine is there than laughter?
YouTube Stars to Bestselling Authors
Whatever your view point on YouTube stars, it doesn’t look like they’ll be disappearing off the bestsellers list anytime soon. So here’s our pick of the top YouTube stars turned authors and their bestselling books, available in both ebook and audio book format.
Sidemen: The Book by the Sidemen, 2016
Sidemen: The Book by the Sidemen, 2016
I Am Bellend/Tool by KSI, 2015
I Am Bellend/Tool by KSI, 2015
I Hate Myselfie: A Collection of Essays by Shane Dawson, 2015
I Hate Myselfie: A Collection of Essays by Shane Dawson, 2015
Binge by Tyler Oakley, 2015
Binge by Tyler Oakley, 2015
The Amazing Book is Not on Fire by Dan and Phil, 2015
The Amazing Book is Not on Fire by Dan and Phil, 2015
In Real Life: My Journey to a Pixelated World by Joey Graceffa, 2015
In Real Life: My Journey to a Pixelated World by Joey Graceffa, 2015
Girl Online: Going Solo with Zoe Suggs, 2016
Girl Online: Going Solo with Zoe Suggs, 2016
A Work In Progress by Connor Franta, 2015
A Work In Progress by Connor Franta, 2015
Buffering: Unshared Tales of a Life Fully Loaded by Hannah Hart, 2016
Buffering: Unshared Tales of a Life Fully Loaded by Hannah Hart, 2016
Username: Evie by Joe Suggs 2015
Username: Evie by Joe Suggs 2015
You can browse and download free ebooks and audiobooks at digitalbook.io.
*Digitalbook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to the Amazon LLC marketplaces.
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