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smirm's review against another edition
5.0
I have a deeper appreciation for Michelle Obama as our first lady after completing her book. This is a well-written account of her life and it is an indescribable feeling to have so many of the things I thought and inferred about her from how she carried herself debunked reading her own accounts of these events. I am not typically a biography reader, but I was glued from start to finish. It is no secret she offers so much to the public (most of which just came with the territory of being in public eye), but I look forward to how she takes ownership of this new becoming stage of her life.
harrisonarachel's review against another edition
1.0
This was quite a hard book to get through if I am honest.
Found learning about her life quite interesting, but just how it was written couldn't keep me gripped unfortunately. It turned into one of those books where you push yourself to keep going! Get this book finished.
In the end it got easier to keep interested in the story, but not sure if it would be a book I would highly recommend to others.
Found learning about her life quite interesting, but just how it was written couldn't keep me gripped unfortunately. It turned into one of those books where you push yourself to keep going! Get this book finished.
In the end it got easier to keep interested in the story, but not sure if it would be a book I would highly recommend to others.
daumari's review against another edition
5.0
Michelle Obama is a treasure, but as she explicitly says several times, do not expect her to run for office: she has a distaste for the nastiness and threats to personal safety that come from it. It feels hyperbolic to say Michelle is a woman of grace, but this is a woman who is aware of her environment as she tells her biography, and the systemic pressures around her throughout life. To maintain the drive and poise to go from a school system suffering from white flight to the Ivy Leagues, and then onto the world stage? It takes a strong person with support systems. Truly an inspiration for doing good by our community.
I 'read' through the audiobook version because it is narrated by Michelle, and I reckon the only way to get closer to the author's voice/headspace is to listen to her actually say it. It took me a while to finish this because while I do have a decent sized commute to work, I also tend to listen to podcasts half the time so it took a while.
Hooooboy just took a look at one star ratings out of curiosity and it does seem to be mostly people who didn't read the book and want to broadcast opinions without basis. AND/OR: people who don't seem to recognize the systemic circumstances that make her life story so interesting.
I 'read' through the audiobook version because it is narrated by Michelle, and I reckon the only way to get closer to the author's voice/headspace is to listen to her actually say it. It took me a while to finish this because while I do have a decent sized commute to work, I also tend to listen to podcasts half the time so it took a while.
Hooooboy just took a look at one star ratings out of curiosity and it does seem to be mostly people who didn't read the book and want to broadcast opinions without basis. AND/OR: people who don't seem to recognize the systemic circumstances that make her life story so interesting.
tranzkafka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
i'm not American so knew relatively little about Michelle Obama before reading this book, but i found her story so poignant and meaningful. her wisdom and principles shine through in every chapter but her warm and kind tone made me feel like i was being spoken to by a mentor or friend rather than listening to the former First Lady. i found it immensely inspiring and comforting that despite our incredibly different backgrounds, her and i have had similar struggles and doubts, and that she's come out of one of the most high-profile positions having remained true to herself and her values of kindness and community. i'm looking forward to reading her next book!
mbr_mck_'s review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
szirbel's review against another edition
5.0
Loved hearing Michelle tell her story! So amazingly down to earth with the same worries, fears and anxieties every mom has! Love that reality tv and HGTV are her escapes and that she keeps everything very real. She genuine without any fuss.
sara_b's review against another edition
2.0
It has had the highest ratings in my book list for a long time. I finally started reading it and I just think it is dramatically overrated.
I usually enjoy autobiographies, but I had a really hard time finishing this one. Maybe that is because I couldn't relate to the struggles she wrote about (if we consider them struggling).
Besides the times she was talking about her efforts, the only thing I could think of was this: why start a war in the first place if you're gonna devote your time to make a better life for the families of soldiers?!
The reason I read this book is that I think she is an iconic influential person who is trying to do good. I admire her for that. But this book was not as good as the ratings stated.
I can usually set aside my feelings, but maybe I didn't enjoy it because I read it with all the background of someone living in the Middle East , whose whole life is affected by the stupid decisions of politicians, specifically American government. I can't see Michelle Obama as an individual who tries to make things better , but as the former first lady who could do much more.
I usually enjoy autobiographies, but I had a really hard time finishing this one. Maybe that is because I couldn't relate to the struggles she wrote about (if we consider them struggling).
Besides the times she was talking about her efforts, the only thing I could think of was this: why start a war in the first place if you're gonna devote your time to make a better life for the families of soldiers?!
The reason I read this book is that I think she is an iconic influential person who is trying to do good. I admire her for that. But this book was not as good as the ratings stated.
I can usually set aside my feelings, but maybe I didn't enjoy it because I read it with all the background of someone living in the Middle East , whose whole life is affected by the stupid decisions of politicians, specifically American government. I can't see Michelle Obama as an individual who tries to make things better , but as the former first lady who could do much more.
npunati27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75