And She's Only Sixteen

Miley Cyrus has a hit TV show, high charting songs, sold out tours, and a movie that is sure to be a box-office smash. She can sing, dance, and act. And she can write, too!

Miley's first ever book, "Miles To Go," has reached #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090323005477&newsLang=en

When I first heard about the book, I was unsure about it. I mean, a teenager younger than myself writing an autobiography? It sounded utterly ridiculous. But I soon realized that it was not meant to be her full life story, but merely a chance for her to look back and reflect, as well as share her insights about her life as she continues her newfound success.

I imagined I'd be checking a copy out of the local library, but at the end of February, whilst checking her website, I read that Miley would be signing copies of her book at a meet & greet in a Manhattan Barnes & Noble. I looked at the details, and read that in order to meet her, one would need to get a ticket (only 500 all together), which would be available at 6am the morning before she was due to appear. That would mean that I would have to be there much earlier, as I would have to beat out many other hopeful fans to insure I would get a ticket. I don't wake up until 6, and generally don't get to the city until 7:30. So I regrettingly shrugged off the idea of meeting her.

The next day, I told my friend Chris (of becauseimchriskhan.blogspot.com) and he was really excited. He wanted to go, and I became reinvigorated. Maybe I could convince my dad to get me up early if I told him I'd be with a friend. We spent the rest of the week making plans and finally it was the day before. I mustered up the courage to ask my dad (what dad wants to hear his teenage son wants to wait early in the morning for Miley Cyrus?) He said no at first (various reasons including the fact that I was supposed to watch my sister after school, and although I wanted to take her with me to see Miley, that was no good.) Finally, he said okay, and asked what time to wake me up. When I told him 2:30, he was taken aback, but allowed it.

It was impossible to fall asleep that night. I had a couple hours early in a nap, but I still didn't fall asleep until after twelve. So when my dad came in to get me up, I had barely slept. Still, I got dressed and out the door in record time. Outside was eerie. It was dark, cold, and quiet. I was very jumpy walking to the elevated train. I finally sat down in the waiting area, put on my iPod, and realized I was shaking. The train was just as strange. Some people were going to work, some going home. I had to take 3 trains. The first two were quick, but the last usually would take twenty minutes. But there were workers on the track, so the train crawled along for them to be safe.

When I finally came outside, I started to run, for about 3 blocks and an avenue, afraid that if I walked I'd someone how be too late. When I got on the line, it was 4:15. There was only about 100 or 150 people ahead of me. I was glad, and now just had to wait. And wait. And wait. And watch the sunrise. My friend Chris came at the last minute. He would have gone to the back of the line, but I took him with me. We bought our books, got our wristbracelets (to be used as tickets) and went to school (we were pretty early!)

I spent the whole day telling friends and teachers my story, as well as protecting my wrist bracelet, fearing it would rip and I wouldn't be let in. The day seemed to drag, and I was mighty tired. Thankfully, Chris treated me to a cab after school to get back to the Barnes & Noble. Sure, I got a little carsick, but it beat a commute that would take twice as long.

Their was already a long line at the Barnes & Noble, full of people from the morning. We got on it, and again waited. It was only 3, and Miley wouldn't start signing 'til 4. At 3:30, a big black SUV thing drove past us, with Miley waving from the window. Miley Cyrus! It was so exciting! She was driven into a parking facility, and disappeared into the garage. The line started moving by 4, and I got more nervous as we got closer. Once inside Barnes & Noble, the line zig zagged through a maze of bookshelves. It felt like we were far away, but the line moved fast, and soon we were a few people away. I took out my camera, and gave it to an employee who was taking picture (in order to keep the line moving as fast as possible. And finally, I was up. Miley was sitting there, looking even cuter in person, with her little sister sitting next to her. I handed Miley the book, and in an excited tone, said something along the lines of "I'm a BIG fan." She signed the book (with a little heart too), posed for the picture, and said bye. I felt so happy and satisfied.

I read the book in two sittings. I was a great read. It was not a linear "first i was born, then i turned five, then i turned famous..." Instead, it jumped around various life experiences, from being bullied, to auditioning, to working with her castmates. There was a lot about her family, which was very nice to read. Especially the stories about her and her father when she was younger. Those life lessons he would tell her shaped who she is today. As I read through it, I imagined Miley's voice reading it, like a narrator. And that was another cool part about it. It had a very conversational tone, like it was her talking. Lots of little side notes were present, adding clever little quips. It added a lot of personality.

Congrats to Miley for being a bestseller in books. What can this girl not do?