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lizziepagereads's review against another edition
3.0
While reading, I kept forgetting this is non-fiction. It reads more like a novel in first person than a memoir. I related to the narrator the way I would a protagonist in a novel, bad decisions and all. I think this is probably because, despite the author having the coolest job in the world and a front row seat to history, her memoir is basically about crushing on a guy and making bad decisions. Come on.
Regardless, I did relate to a few themes:
1. Celebrating new friends. When Beck celebrates each new friendship she makes as an adult - I get it. Making friends as a grown up is really hard.
2. Dealing with change. She compares the end of Obama’s presidency to senior year. Her sentiments about the end - being separated from your group, trying to appreciate every last minute of the time you spend together - is something we can all relate to.
3. Appreciating the moment. Beck included frequent reminders to look up, be in awe, appreciate what you are doing in the moment, and write it down so you never forget. She inspires me to be a better writer and a better observer.
Regardless, I did relate to a few themes:
1. Celebrating new friends. When Beck celebrates each new friendship she makes as an adult - I get it. Making friends as a grown up is really hard.
2. Dealing with change. She compares the end of Obama’s presidency to senior year. Her sentiments about the end - being separated from your group, trying to appreciate every last minute of the time you spend together - is something we can all relate to.
3. Appreciating the moment. Beck included frequent reminders to look up, be in awe, appreciate what you are doing in the moment, and write it down so you never forget. She inspires me to be a better writer and a better observer.
aesavage94's review against another edition
4.0
Beck the author had some amazing once in a life time experiences that were amazing to read about, and a reminder of all the good and bad during the Obama Administration. As a 20 something, I related to the personal struggles of a new job and the mess that lust can turn into and can turn your self esteem to a 0. Experiencing something similar in college, it was amazing to hear someone finally give an accurate real life account of the tangle of the love life and friendships of a 20 something. The only negatives to the book are that sometimes I felt like she jumped around and some of the stories referred to later weren’t consistent through the book. Her stereotype of dc was frustrating because as a dmv resident not all dc people are as she described, she must have been hanging out in the wrong area.... however lots are entitled!!
Overall 4 out of 5 stars, thank you for being so real Beck!!
Overall 4 out of 5 stars, thank you for being so real Beck!!
lorrietruck's review against another edition
3.0
A bit too unbalanced in favour of her terrible decisions around men than working for the Obama administration, but interesting nonetheless.
whatshawnareads's review
4.0
I liked this one. It was fun to have a memoir from a millennial in Obama’s White House. Also, I really loved the author's narration of the audiobook.
kpierce94010's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but there was way too much boy drama!
thayerbowen's review
5.0
Wow. This book is amazing. Thank you for a view into the Obama administration and what it stood for. The book ends at the beginning of 2017 before we would know what the next four years would bring. So much has passed since. (Review written January 2024)
sujuv's review against another edition
4.0
Super entertaining, juicy, behind-the-scenes of the Obama White House/20something woman coming of age story that sometimes made me want to rip my hair out - why did you sleep with that guy AGAIN - is honest (to a fault) and gives the reader a unique view of power from a person without power who is witness to it all. Dorey-Stein stumbles into a job as one of the president's stenographers, makes friends, falls in love with the wrong guy (who appears to be boning the entire staff), gets to see POTUS when the cameras are off (loves him even more then), and writes it all down. A fun, fast read.
alixrob's review against another edition
4.0
Dishy read. Loved it. (Not the best writing in the world but, for the subject matter, I'll take it.)