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dorhastings's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
How this book ended up on my TBR: I read and highly enjoyed Michelle Obama's Becoming, so I had a feeling I would dig this book. I'd known this book was out for awhile, and I was looking for a new audiobook from my library. This one was immediately available, so here we are!
After reading Becoming, I expected this book to be slightly less memoir-esque. And it certainly was, though it had more than I'd expected. That's certainly not a bad thing. Becoming had a much more chronological sort of plot on the events of Michelle Obama's life, up until they left the White House. Michelle Obama was certainly one of the more popular and memorable first ladies, and I think she knew that she wanted to continue to be of service, especially with the transition to the Trump presidency and, eventually, the election of Joe Biden. She mentions how she has continually be asked about "going high" during such depressing times. Her answer to that question is, essentially, this book.
While she does include a lot of her personal experiences, she does sprinkle relevant examples from other folks throughout the book. There were three parts I really enjoyed hearing about. The first was about finding a life partner; the second was about friendships; and the third (and last) was about the aforementioned "going high". That's just really where I'm at in my life now. For partnering: Obama was extremely up-front about issues that have come up in her marriage. She wrote exclusively about this in Becoming, and I appreciated her forthrightness. She doesn't hash it out again in this book, but she does provide guidance based on her experience and on the experience of other folks. They have had their struggles, but they are committed to each other and make it work. Obama is also clear that her husband is not her whole world and that her friendships are so crucial to her life. I admit, I have been really focused on the importance of friendships (especially female friendships) and how much we don't prioritize them in society the way that we do our (heteronormative) romantic relationships. I love that she talked about how she makes space and maintains her friendships.
So the book is mostly about what has helped her to get through uncertain times, and how she has used past lessons to move forward and to make accomplishments. I loved hearing that she took up knitting during COVID and just needed an activity that turned her brain off for a few minutes so her hands could take over. She talks about how our work as members of society is not done, is never truly every done.
Of course she narrates her own book, and her narration is lovely. Highly recommend.
After reading Becoming, I expected this book to be slightly less memoir-esque. And it certainly was, though it had more than I'd expected. That's certainly not a bad thing. Becoming had a much more chronological sort of plot on the events of Michelle Obama's life, up until they left the White House. Michelle Obama was certainly one of the more popular and memorable first ladies, and I think she knew that she wanted to continue to be of service, especially with the transition to the Trump presidency and, eventually, the election of Joe Biden. She mentions how she has continually be asked about "going high" during such depressing times. Her answer to that question is, essentially, this book.
While she does include a lot of her personal experiences, she does sprinkle relevant examples from other folks throughout the book. There were three parts I really enjoyed hearing about. The first was about finding a life partner; the second was about friendships; and the third (and last) was about the aforementioned "going high". That's just really where I'm at in my life now. For partnering: Obama was extremely up-front about issues that have come up in her marriage. She wrote exclusively about this in Becoming, and I appreciated her forthrightness. She doesn't hash it out again in this book, but she does provide guidance based on her experience and on the experience of other folks. They have had their struggles, but they are committed to each other and make it work. Obama is also clear that her husband is not her whole world and that her friendships are so crucial to her life. I admit, I have been really focused on the importance of friendships (especially female friendships) and how much we don't prioritize them in society the way that we do our (heteronormative) romantic relationships. I love that she talked about how she makes space and maintains her friendships.
So the book is mostly about what has helped her to get through uncertain times, and how she has used past lessons to move forward and to make accomplishments. I loved hearing that she took up knitting during COVID and just needed an activity that turned her brain off for a few minutes so her hands could take over. She talks about how our work as members of society is not done, is never truly every done.
Of course she narrates her own book, and her narration is lovely. Highly recommend.
ilovebooksalltoowell's review against another edition
5.0
About the book
While Michelle’s previous book gave us a fascinating insight in her life, from childhood to being the wife of the first black president of the US, this book is totally different. In her life Michelle had to deal with fear and uncertainty (like trying to fit in at school being one of very few women, especially a black woman), or dealing with the feeling of not being enough, and she discovered a variety of tools could help her deal with certain emotions. In an honest, helpful and sometimes humorous way she now shares her insights with us in this book.
My thoughts about the book
My tip for this book certainly is: listen to the audio version! I had the privilege to hear Michelle speak in Amsterdam during her previous book tour so I knew that you’ll listen to her mesmerized the minute she starts telling her story and talks about the lessons she learned from the people she has met. When you get to the point where she says “I’m a woman and that’s a good thing. I’m black and that’s a good thing. I’m myself and that’s a good thing” you’ll understand why the audio version is so impressive. Oh and how about “Your limits aren’t mine…” Her tips and tools seem to be so simple yet so easy and useful and you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself. I recognized so much in some of her feelings (how fear can control you and not feeling enough) and it surely will help me deal with certain emotions. A must read and a perfect last book to have read in 2022!
While Michelle’s previous book gave us a fascinating insight in her life, from childhood to being the wife of the first black president of the US, this book is totally different. In her life Michelle had to deal with fear and uncertainty (like trying to fit in at school being one of very few women, especially a black woman), or dealing with the feeling of not being enough, and she discovered a variety of tools could help her deal with certain emotions. In an honest, helpful and sometimes humorous way she now shares her insights with us in this book.
My thoughts about the book
My tip for this book certainly is: listen to the audio version! I had the privilege to hear Michelle speak in Amsterdam during her previous book tour so I knew that you’ll listen to her mesmerized the minute she starts telling her story and talks about the lessons she learned from the people she has met. When you get to the point where she says “I’m a woman and that’s a good thing. I’m black and that’s a good thing. I’m myself and that’s a good thing” you’ll understand why the audio version is so impressive. Oh and how about “Your limits aren’t mine…” Her tips and tools seem to be so simple yet so easy and useful and you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself. I recognized so much in some of her feelings (how fear can control you and not feeling enough) and it surely will help me deal with certain emotions. A must read and a perfect last book to have read in 2022!
jencunn2024's review against another edition
4.0
I think we all need this book. Michelle Obama has a wonderful message about carrying the light, a flicker of hope in compromise and change and listening to one another. She uses her experiences that are common with most of humanity - in motherhood, in endeavors, and in leadership. She shares values and insight that are universal and unique as well as those that we pass on from generation to generation. She is encouraging and provides fantastic words of wisdom on how to cultivate our individual flames as well as those in our communities. I want my daughter to read this. I want my son to read this. My husband. My future grandchildren. I want the world to read this and learn how to get along together wel enough to work together, compromise and make changes for the better.