Bieber Fever and Nowhere But Up

Last night I watched the Oprah interview with Justin Bieber with my giddy 12yo daughter. I've never had a child go crazy over a pop star before, so this is new territory for me as a mom. But I figured she wanted to watch it, and it would be best if I watched too. Partly because I was curious to know more about this singing sensation and partly because an informed parent is a better parent. At least I read that somewhere.

I was actually quite surprised by how grounded the kid sounds. How well spoken he is and how level-headed he seems in spite of all the hoopla surrounding him. My favorite moment in the interview was when he gave credit to Jesus. A lot of stars will throw around the name of God because God has become kind of a catch-all phrase that people interpret as they see fit. But Jesus? No question what you believe if you bring Him up. My 12 yo, though she might not want you to know this, cried when he did that. And that made me like her all the more.

One of the things I really liked is how much credit Justin also gives his mom, Pattie Mallette. He really seems to honor and respect her. And that's what I'm here to talk about today: Pattie's new memoir, Nowhere But Up. When I got the offer from her publisher to review the book, I said yes immediately because my daughter is such a Bieber fan. I wanted to know more about where he came from, and figured his mother was the best place to start. Pattie's book is an exploration of her own past and Justin's meteoric rise to fame and how it is all woven together. It is a story of triumph and trust. Pattie is so honest in the book that Justin said in the interview that there were things she disclosed that he never knew before reading it.

Here's the summary:

Most people only know her as Justin Bieber's mom, but Pattie Mallette has had an incredible journey of her own. Many people have heard of her son's rags to riches triumph. A few know she was a teen mom who had to overcome a drug and alcohol addiction. Even fewer know the rest of her story.

Now, for the first time in detail, Pattie shares with the world the story of a girl who felt abandoned and unloved. Of a teenager who made poor choices. Of a young woman who attempted suicide and could hardly bear to believe that God would ever care for her. One who messed up, got pregnant, and got a second chance.

Every reader will find themselves somewhere in Pattie's painful journey of redemption. They will be encouraged by her example that what was once broken can become whole. Pattie's story will inspire readers to believe that even in the darkest of places, there's always hope. For those who feel unlovable, there's always love. And for those who believe they're a lost cause, there's always room for another chance.

So if you are like me and have a little Belieber on your hands, you might want to pick this book up and make yourself feel better that there are a lot worse people they could be squealing over.