Customer Reviews

I Make My Own Rules (Young Adult Version)

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a quote from the book "I Make My Own Rules",by LL Cool J. This book is a national bestseller. I can understand why,because after reading it,it was positive and influential.It definetly moved me.From the beginning, the book caught my attention. I couldn't put it down.It was captivating.This book should be read by the youth, everywhere. The story is an autobiography of a rap artist named James Todd Smith, better known as Ladies Love Cool James(LL Cool J). It told the story of the world of rap through the years. Also how Mr. Smith endured obstacles in life such as;abuse, neglect, drugs, money problems and addiction to sex. You can read Mr. Smith's rules on relationships, family, religion, music, and his experiences. I learned alot about him,the rap world and life. He did a thorough job in telling his story. He told the truth and nothing but the truth.It was all him,good or bad. This book teaches the readers that they make their own choices in life. Only you can make a difference and overcome difficult obstacles. As said from,Rap Pages; "It shows how you can suceed and stay true to yourself without making your mistakes haunt you." You should always look forward.

James Todd Smith, AKA LL Cool J, lays bare his heart and soul in this engaging and candid autobiography. He tells of his somewhat traumatic childhood that was filled with domestic violence, and the affect that it continues to have on his life. He also gives a realistic, behind the scenes, view of the music industry-the sex, groupies, and drugs. With emotion he tells of a time in his life that he was not proud of, a time when he was young, immature, and had plenty of money to throw around. Smith uses his life to teach the lesson to youngsters that we all make mistakes and to view them as a learning experience. The book also shares some of LL Cool J's opinions about the current state of rap, the murders of Biggie Smalls and Tupac, and other pertinent issues.

This book is exciting, inspiring, and heartfelt. It tells a story of one man's obstacles and triumphs to go from a troubled boy to a multi-platinum-recording artist and actor. Readers will walk away from this book with a true sense of both James Todd Smith and LL Cool J. I highly recommend this work.

*Note this refers to the Parent Advisory Edition

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

i respect LL Cool J alot.i like his older music better than his newer stuff but i always keep an ear on this rap pioneer.so when i found out about this book i was excited and it was real good.the rise of his career&the inside of the business especially chapter 9.this is the first book that i've ever read that had a sticker on it.that alone peaked my interest.he has done alot with his career from rapping,to actor on tv&film.a good solid read.

The book I read is called I make my own rules. It deals with a Man with a dream. Not Martin Luther King but he had a dream to be the best M.C. around. He wanted to have the best beats and rhymes made in history of rappers. His name is LL Cool J also known as James. He grew up talking about his childhood life. How he had bad and good times. Mentioned how he met Run-DMC during his open mike night at the Apollo, and about his family and wife and his three kids. What I liked about the book is that it was base on Cool J and how he lived his life in the bad side of his town. James Ruled his town like the number 1 bully he would always carry his switchblade with him if there would be any trouble with him or the friends he new. He'll always be there to help them get out of trouble and try telling them to avoid getting thrown in the slammer. Everyone in that lived around James's block would know what the deal is. The things I didn't like about the book is that is the sad moments. True something might happen to someone but that always gets me. Example of one Cool J had a dog. He would spend his time playing with it. One day his dog got caught hanging from a hole in the backyard he said he tried to reach the basement but was to late. That is the reason I don't do sad stories.

I really enjoyed I Make My Own Rules by LL Cool J and Karen Hunter. The book was very interesting and caught my attention. The book was easy to follow and while reading the book, I felt like he was talking to me one on one. I recommend this book to teens growing up in a situation beyond their control because this book is proof nothing is too hard to overcome with self-determination

I am not a book reader. I don't like to read for personal enjoyment at all. Just to prove it I would rather clean the bathroom of my home than read a book. The only time I would be seen at a library is if I had to get a book for a class assignment in school. That is about to change 'cause a couple of weeks ago I was told I had to read a book for my Senior English class. The assignment was to read any book that we wanted and I chose "I Make My Own Rules" by L. L. Cool J. This book was very deep. It will take you into the life, struggle, pain, and rebuilding of James Todd "L. L. Cool J" Smith. From times before he was born to his climb up the latter of fame to his descent toward the pit of greed and darkness back up to the light. The book was not just for the sake of writing a book nor was it just for getting everything that has happened to him out in the open. It was a personal testimony or a written speech for the reader and youth that he feels would help in their quest to grow. If there was a way for him to reach one person and to help them see that you don't have to settle for less, or that there is more to life than what is offered, then he has done his job. "I Make My Own Rules" was an excellent book. Now having read it, I want to start personal reading and I will start with books like these. Even though this book dealt more with negative parts of his life, it gets his points across about being true to yourself and to others. By telling you about himself and what he has been through, there is the hope that you will see his mistakes and learn from them as he has. The point of view is from first person and well he speaks in a mild slang sort of tone which is makes it very easy for just about any person to read. He wants his reader to think about some of the things that they are doing or about to do and whether if they are worth the pain and struggle that sometimes come from our everyday mistakes. This book was a good one.

This book takes the reader into life behind the star. After reading this bio, it made me love LL even more. It also made me appreciate him for being a good son,father,husband,grandson, and the true star that he is.

Although a bit young to write an autobiography, Mr. Smith's candid, easy style makes for interesting reading. While I'm a bit older than the average L.L. Cool J fan, I enjoyed his journey through and ultimate rise above the trappings of youthful success.

This book is a must read. I have been a fan of LL Cool J since his first song Radio. I read the book in one day (8 hrs to be exact) I just couldn't put it down. I felt his joy and pain. I just can't believe what his father but most his stepfather did to him. His "Father" song is the best. I love that song. It just makes you think that there are a lot of people out there, but he overcame it all. He wanted to be somebody and be the best that he could. I commend you for being a good great rap artist, a husband and a father. I love you LL Cool J and I hope to one day meet you. It has been one of my dreams and I hope that one day it comes true. Keep it real baby. Love ya Annette S.

If you are an aspiring artist this book is a must-read. You can't front on LL. He's been doing this for over 13 years professionally and this book proves that. The book is written very well with humor to keep the reader entertained. While parents may not want thier children to read the sex chapters those too teach a lesson. This book chronicles his journey from a child into manhood. He also discusses some of the politics of the entertainment business. You have to read this atleast once.