Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Becoming by Michelle Obama

34 reviews

zydecovivo's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.5

I was a bit too young to understand politics when Barack Obama became president. I also did not know much about Michelle Obama, besides the fact that her healthy food campaign had severely impacted our school lunch options (yes, we were all outraged when cookies were no longer available for purchase). Becoming tells her story, starting from the very beginning, to just after President Obama’s tenure in the White House ended. It’s a glimpse into Michelle’s past, as well as a look at the impact of political campaigns on a family at multiple levels. I can’t help but admire Michelle and her family. The only section that did not have me riveted was the listing of accomplishments and initiatives by both the White House and Michelle herself. I appreciated the stories where she expanded on why she chose certain initiatives and who they impacted, but there was a good 30 minutes to an hour (I read the audiobook version) that read like a list. But the overall writing and story were moving and made me long for the time before politics was so hateful and loyalty only given to one's own party. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Racism

Moderate: Violence, Sexual harassment, Chronic illness, Body shaming, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Misogyny, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Police brutality

Minor: Child death

cats33's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Eating disorder, Genocide, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, Miscarriage, Body shaming, Bullying, Police brutality, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Ableism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Murder, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Islamophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, War, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Antisemitism, Child death, Death, Deportation, and Mass/school shootings

melodyseestrees's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

There were large sections that were interesting to read. There were also sections that were less enjoyable, such as the discussion of children eating healthier with no real mention on how to fix this in area where fresh produce are already very inaccessible as this felt bordering on fatphobia. It was not explicit fatphobia and was likely unintentional. 
She talks of her husband as almost a superhero and perfect husband. This is very sweet but also feels unrealistic. He went and made a big decision without weighing her input and it was just fine? There was just a lack of much emotion in many sections and that held those sections back from being relatable to readers who haven't been FLOTUS.
The photographs were a lovely and welcome touch, even though they were very concentrated. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Racism

Moderate: Mass/school shootings, Child death, Grief, and Death

Minor: Miscarriage, Police brutality, and Fatphobia

natnurdock's review

emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent, Mass/school shootings, Child death, Miscarriage, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Medical content, Police brutality, and Grief

Minor: War

sestout's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexism

laurajordensharris's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Grief, Hate crime, Misogyny, Slavery, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Gun violence, Islamophobia, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Chronic illness, Classism, Homophobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Police brutality, Racism, War, and Terminal illness

merrynthomas's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Police brutality, Racism, Child death, Death, War, Death of parent, Violence, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Bullying, Grief, Gun violence, Infertility, Racial slurs, Sexism, Slavery, and Terminal illness

kdailyreads's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Sexism, Cancer, Racism, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Violence, Infertility, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Medical content, War, and Mass/school shootings

Minor: Police brutality and Xenophobia

marlee_grace's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Really enjoyed this! Was great to hear about Michelle and Barack's stories before being in the public eye, the struggles they endured and the changes they made :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, War, Miscarriage, Violence, Mass/school shootings, Racism, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, Grief, Cancer, Death, Police brutality, Murder, Islamophobia, Rape, Suicide, Racial slurs, Gun violence, Infertility, Sexism, Child death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Hate crime, Medical content, Misogyny, and Pregnancy

faithaforman's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

If listening on audiobook I'd recommend 1.15x speed. :)
Michelle's story is inspiring, empowering, and at times heartbreaking. A true testament to hard work, perseverance, and a desire to help people and how much of an impact one person can have.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, and Terminal illness

Minor: Infertility, Police brutality, Slavery, Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Fire/Fire injury

Pacing begins quite slow but does pick up progressively as the book goes on.