As both a music writer and a web nerd, I am absolutely fascinated by Complex's cover story on Justin Bieber. ​

The lengthy Q&A centers on Bieber's alleged transformation from a lost, belligerent punk caught up in scandal after scandal to a mature, relatable punk who has found his way back to making good music ("I want people to start seeing me and feel like they can connect with me").

It was no surprise that Justin shared some *intriguing* insights, but it's the actual format of the multimedia piece that kept me scrolling until the very end (any article that gets its own load screen has to be good, am I right?).

The Q&A text is layered over animation and slo-mo video of an underwater Bieber. He's weighted down, bound by chains until he breaks through the surface--just as the story veers toward his metaphorical breakthrough in real life. See what they did there?

The effect is a somewhat dark, yet very dramatic feel that does more to humanize Bieber than your typical photo shoot would. Definitely looking forward to more multilayered, multimedia pieces like this across the web.

Finally made the responsible decision to read Cheryl Strayed's memoir. And I loved it. Pretty sure there should be a Surgeon General-type warning on the cover: "May cause severe wanderlust."

Here are a couple of my favorite quotes...

“I considered my options. There were only two and they were essentially the same. I could go back in the direction I had come from, or I could go forward in the direction I intended to go.” 

“I didn’t feel sad or happy. I didn’t feel proud or ashamed. I only felt that in spite of all the things I’d done wrong, in getting myself here, I’d done right.” 

“The universe, I’d learned, was never, ever kidding. It would take whatever it wanted and it would never give it back.” 

“To know that seeing the fish beneath the surface of the water was enough. That it was everything. It was my life-- like all lives, mysterious and irrevocable and sacred. So very close, so very present, so very belonging to me. How wild it was, to let it be.” 

Dallas Clayton writes children's books, but I'm pretty sure the majority of his fanbase is very much adult. His quirky illustrations, poems, and one-liners are thoughtful and uplifting, without being preachy, trite, or reminiscent of something you'd find on the wall of a school guidance counselor's office. Like a new age, shaggy-haired Shel Silverstein.

As someone who regularly eyerolls at cheesy things like inspirational quotes, I find myself wanting to frame some of his stuff. Here's one of my favorites from his Instagram feed.