Reviews

Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House by Lauren Oyler, Alyssa Mastromonaco

serenitylive's review

5.0

This was kind of amazing. Her style is so familiar, I felt like I was reading a pick-a-path, and *I* was the protagonist on a whirlwind career track as President Obama's assistant. Like all good memoirs, it's bits and pieces, not always chronological, and I often wanted more. She definitely succeeded at her goal to make working in government seem accessible, albeit terrifying. I had zero desire to work in government before the book and still like sleep too much to change my mind, but she definitely made it seem like a thing that can be done. I also loved reliving the feeling of that history-making election. (Sample line: Brad Pitt was standing next to us and crying.)

hatrireads's review

2.0

Listened on audible read by the author. She was not a great reader. Nor is she a super writer, but I adore her. I love her honesty and her humility and I found myself sharing her advice with both my daughters. I am really glad Alyssa wrote this book and commend her for her effort. I also love politics and adore President Obama. It cheers me up to hear about Obama's West Wing during this dark chaos of Trump.

schray32's review against another edition

4.0

Well her appearance on Charlie Rose made me add this to my list. (Makes me miss the content of his show, but he got what he deserved...side rant...)

I love her story of how she got where she ended up. I also love the kindness message and its importance in the Obama administration. Seriously POTUS calls her when her cat dies? ❤️

This book would be a great graduation gift.

wild_dog's review

2.0

Inane.

zealous_bibliophile's review against another edition

5.0

Fans of the tv show The West Wing will love this

This is the real life West Wing peppered with stories of real life from childhood to life post oval office meetings and air force one trips. In addition to being funny, sad, and thought provoking this book is filled with a lot of great advice for anyone, even if reading it doesn't drive you to a career in politics like Mastromonaco hopes. Also, Virginia is awesome.

nicolesol's review

4.0

Another comedic book with great insight into the White House— President Obama’s White House!

jamiedee24's review

5.0

This is a funny, must read memoir of a rising political talent. I enjoyed the trip through democracy- the highs and lows that come with working with people in power. I really liked the glimpse into the White House and various politicians, while still respecting them as people and giving them grace in the book. It was a refreshing insight into Americana.

jillianjennett's review

5.0

A sweet and relatively light read, especially when one is nostalgic to the Obama administration. Mastromonaco is essentially a real-life Elle Woods who balances both youthful wit and candor with serious political critique and some great personal stories of life, love, fashion, and Obama. Her message of not defining women as either serious and rigid or feminine and frivolous as the two archetypes we may fall into is refreshing to say the least. I'd recommend it to anyone!

ello_mehry's review

3.0

Probably more of a 3.5 than a 3. I became aware of this book after listening to Terry Gross' interview with Alyssa Mastromonaco on NPR; she is entertaining and engaging. I really enjoyed it when I started, but sadly, it didn't sustain. I'm just over her target demographic and I related to her experiences and observations on a professional level, though her career trajectory was very different from my own. But those feelings of being unsure and that everyone thinks you are a kid are very real. Unfortunately, she lost me a little about halfway through when the stories and prose got a little tired. Since I've felt many of the same doubts and relate to her need to couch all her thoughts into an agreeably digestible nugget, it's less appealing when I just want her to go for it (perhaps where I want her to go for it, she chose a different path). However, in many ways, this book is a word vomit of how I expect thousands of women in important positions feel as they navigate the professional world. I felt a bit like she was keeping it too snappy and casual in the prose; it's how I would think and reflect, but not necessarily how I would choose to memoir. Wouldn't recommend to someone over about 35, but happily, this was an easy read and there were enough reminders and observations pertinent to my own life that I'm glad I finally had a chance to read it.

anxiousyogi24's review

3.0

I wish I could give this a 3.5. It was a cute book, nice summer read. I wish there were more Obama stories. I didn't realize it was an advice book for 20 year olds until 3/4 way through, but it was good none the less.