You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
kristabella49's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't think I would like this as much as I did. I mean, I love the Obamas, but I guess I wasn't that interested in it. But boy was I wrong! It was so good. I loved learning every detail about her and Barack.
easnyder's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
It took me much longer to finish reading this book than I care to admit, but not because it's a difficult read—on the contrary, I find Michelle Obama’s writing super accessible and digestible. Rather, for me, this was in some ways a (not the) right book at a (not the) right time. For the season of life that I currently find myself in, this book gave me a lot to think about, mainly in the first half which I found much more personally compelling than the second half (when she recounts Barack’s political career, candidacy, and presidency, maybe because we are all much more familiar with that story).
It was just so unexpectedly relatable for me. To be clear, on paper, Michelle Obama and I are quite different. I’m 17 years younger than she, white, and grew up far from Chicago both geographically and culturally (although I feel compelled to mention both my parents grew up on Chicago’s South Side). But as she tells the story of her childhood/adolescence/college years/working motherhood years, there was a lot that resonated with me and that I felt was so relatable to my own life experiences, mainly around academic achievement, career development, and imposter syndrome. And those super relatable bits kept stopping me in my tracks while reading to think deeply about my own life and experiences, and what direction my life is headed next.
I admit, I did expect the relatability moments to slow down significantly during the White House years (because there’s only a minuscule fraction of the population who have ever experienced living in the White House). But even as she describes living with 24 hour security detail and constant judgement from literally the entire world, she was able to tap into that relatability by describing how really kinda bonkers that lifestyle truly is, especially for a previously very middle class family who’d enjoyed much more freedom of movement prior to entering into the very hermetic life that is living in the White House.
(And for those living in hope or expectation that Michelle Obama will one day run for president, forget about it—she’s unequivocal in her messaging that she wants no part of that ever again. And honestly, who could blame her?)
Finishing the last 30 pages or so of the book at the time that I did was actually painful (during the first month of the second Trump administration). She spends those pages talking about all that she and Barack achieved during his presidency. It was a lot that very clearly benefited so many Americans, especially amongst the more marginalized groups of our society. Reading that from 8 years after the fact, and watching it all be pretty much single handedly dismantled by Trump and Musk made me heart sick.
Overall though, an excellent read that I found accessible and would strongly recommend to just about anybody.
eherndon's review against another edition
5.0
It took me so long to read this because it quite honestly wrecked me. I can’t remember the last time I cried so much. In the last four years I’ve become so numb to and divorced from the reality of having people in the White House who actually care about others that reading about it just opened the floodgates.
Michelle Obama writes beautifully about her life, career, politics in America, what it’s like to live in the White House, the kind of expectations you have to live with when you’re the First Lady, and none of it is simple or easy to read. This is a book to SIT with.
Despite how sad it made me feel though, it reminded me of the fight we need to keep having even though we are all so, so tired. And she ends the book with a dose of optimism, a pep talk even, that I know I really needed.
So thank you Mrs. and Mr. Obama for all you’ve done for this country. It mattered.
Michelle Obama writes beautifully about her life, career, politics in America, what it’s like to live in the White House, the kind of expectations you have to live with when you’re the First Lady, and none of it is simple or easy to read. This is a book to SIT with.
Despite how sad it made me feel though, it reminded me of the fight we need to keep having even though we are all so, so tired. And she ends the book with a dose of optimism, a pep talk even, that I know I really needed.
So thank you Mrs. and Mr. Obama for all you’ve done for this country. It mattered.
gott75's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
hiitskels's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I grew up in a very conservative household that demonized the Obamas. I never understood why. As I continue to unpack that household, I realize that I was wrong for not doing my own research to combat that stigma. Personally, I have always felt inspired by Michelle even from a distance. I decided to read her book because I wanted to hear her story and I can say I’m lucky to be able to hear her story. She’s stronger than many believe and so funny. This was such an easy read and highly recommend to anyone to read. I hope to be more like her.
trindade_claudia's review against another edition
4.0
Becoming by Michelle Obama was another one of my charity shop finds. I hardly knew who Michelle Obama "really" was apart from being First Lady for eight years. Barack became president when I was seventeen or eighteen years old. Apart from being happy that they entered the White House, I didn't really learn about who they were. So, reading this memoir was my opportunity to learn who Michelle was before (during, and after) the presidency and get a glimpse of what it is like living in the White House.
"In sharing my story, I hope to create space for other stories and other voices, to widen the pathway for who belongs and why. [...] For every door that's been opened to me, I've tried to open my door to others." (p. 421)
The first few chapters of Becoming gave me a newfound respect for both Michelle and Barack Obama. Mrs Obama wrote Becoming beautifully. It is almost as if you are in a room with her and she is casually sharing her life story. Michelle's memoir is honest and, at times, heartbreaking (e.g., the Sandy Lane School shooting). She shares everything, from the past to the present. Happy and sad. From marital frustrations, political frustrations, and their inability to get pregnant to her doubts about whether a black person would ever get elected president.
"It was maybe then that I felt a first flicker of resentment involving politics and Barack's unshakable commitment to the work." (p. 189)
I read about their lower to middle-class upbringing, and how the Obamas' dedication to education transformed their lives (and, in the end, the lives of millions of Americans) for the better. Michelle grew up in Chicago. She had to study hard, and she got into a great university with the support of her ever-positive family. It was not easy, and the road to success was very bumpy. As is being married to a person who will give his all to better the community, which is something you can both admire and loathe at the same time and don't forget the struggles of raising children in the White House.
"Throughout the campaign, I'd asked myself over and over whether America was really ready to elect a Black president, whether the country was in a strong enough place to see beyond race and move past prejudice." (p. 275)
I know it is difficult to make changes when one is president because many people have to sign off on projects so, unfortunately, lots of good ideas get shot down and not every president can affect the change they promise the American people during campaigns. Frustrations galore! Michelle, as First Lady, was also bound by many restrictions. But she made her time in the White House count.
Overall, an inspiring story – an eye-opener for sure. It's no wonder that Becoming was one of Oprah's book club picks. I think that Becoming is a must-read for anyone. It shows that when you stay true to your beliefs, work hard, and remain patient, the sky is the limit. This memoir also shows the unfavourable side of politics and that the world has a long way to go before we can truly say we are all equal.
"In sharing my story, I hope to create space for other stories and other voices, to widen the pathway for who belongs and why. [...] For every door that's been opened to me, I've tried to open my door to others." (p. 421)
The first few chapters of Becoming gave me a newfound respect for both Michelle and Barack Obama. Mrs Obama wrote Becoming beautifully. It is almost as if you are in a room with her and she is casually sharing her life story. Michelle's memoir is honest and, at times, heartbreaking (e.g., the Sandy Lane School shooting). She shares everything, from the past to the present. Happy and sad. From marital frustrations, political frustrations, and their inability to get pregnant to her doubts about whether a black person would ever get elected president.
"It was maybe then that I felt a first flicker of resentment involving politics and Barack's unshakable commitment to the work." (p. 189)
I read about their lower to middle-class upbringing, and how the Obamas' dedication to education transformed their lives (and, in the end, the lives of millions of Americans) for the better. Michelle grew up in Chicago. She had to study hard, and she got into a great university with the support of her ever-positive family. It was not easy, and the road to success was very bumpy. As is being married to a person who will give his all to better the community, which is something you can both admire and loathe at the same time and don't forget the struggles of raising children in the White House.
"Throughout the campaign, I'd asked myself over and over whether America was really ready to elect a Black president, whether the country was in a strong enough place to see beyond race and move past prejudice." (p. 275)
I know it is difficult to make changes when one is president because many people have to sign off on projects so, unfortunately, lots of good ideas get shot down and not every president can affect the change they promise the American people during campaigns. Frustrations galore! Michelle, as First Lady, was also bound by many restrictions. But she made her time in the White House count.
Overall, an inspiring story – an eye-opener for sure. It's no wonder that Becoming was one of Oprah's book club picks. I think that Becoming is a must-read for anyone. It shows that when you stay true to your beliefs, work hard, and remain patient, the sky is the limit. This memoir also shows the unfavourable side of politics and that the world has a long way to go before we can truly say we are all equal.
maryelawson's review against another edition
4.0
Listening to Michelle's story was like listening to a wise friend or sister. Some parts in the middle dragged a little bit. But I loved learning about her upbringing and life in The Whitehouse.
Michelle is well spoken and helps empower others. I enjoyed this glimpse of her life.
Michelle is well spoken and helps empower others. I enjoyed this glimpse of her life.
vikiapps's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing book! Really enjoyed reading Michelle’s story - 100% recommend
agelber91's review against another edition
5.0
Rich details and a vulnerable look at a magnificent woman. Loved getting an in-depth look her life transitions and identity.
brughiera's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting memoir of three formative periods in the life of Michelle Obama. While many are likely to be more curious about the period in the White House, I found her childhood and adolescence most fascinating. Particularly striking was how a strong and supportive family provided a very sound foundation for an unexpected and, what appears to have been undesired, very public life.