Scan barcode
novelvisits's review against another edition
5.0
Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/from-the-corner-of-the-oval-by-beck-dorey-stein-review/
{My Thoughts}
What Worked For Me
A Craigslist Job – Beck Dorey-Stein, a teacher, first came to Washington DC for a semester as a tutor at the prestigious Sidwell school. She planned to head home shortly after that ended, but as happens to many young women, Dorey-Stein met a man, fell in love, and decided to stay. Finding a fulltime job proved to be almost impossible and Dorey-Stein was about to give up when she saw a job posted on Craigslist. (Yes, Craigslist!) Its description was vague and she didn’t take it seriously. In fact, she failed to attach the required cover letter and blew off her first interview. Thanks to a second chance and her high score on a placement test, Dorey-Stein found she had a job AND it was at the White House! She was less than happy about taking a job as a stenographer, but the perks? Incredible!
A Marriage of Life with Recent History – From the Corner of the Oval covers Dorey-Stein’s life from 2011 to 2017. Because of her position, it also covers much of what was going on in the world during that time. I found it refreshing to read a memoir where the context was so fresh in my own mind. When the entire White House entourage was flying off to a summit in Europe or Asia, I liked having my own memories of that happening. Dorey-Stein did a beautiful job weaving her personal narrative into her professional journey.
“We’re so different, but we’re swimming in this same punch-drunk delirium, and we have one major thing in common: We’ve found ourselves, shockingly, amazingly, how-the-f**k-did-this-happen crazily, flying half-way around the world on Air Force One. We are lucky. We are so goddamn lucky.”
The two sides of her life were closely wed, and unsurprisingly the job dominated both sides, with mixed results.
A President to Admire – Being an Obama fan made From the Corner of the Oval an extra special treat to read. Dorey-Stein’s position as a White House stenographer was NOT attached to Obama’s administration, but her loyalty to, and admiration for the man shone throughout her memoir. It was both refreshing and a little sad to read about people who worked closely with the president on a daily basis, and to feel the level of admiration they held for the man.
“When we arrive at the Hiroshima memorial and I listen to the president’s remarks, I’m so glad POTUS is POTUS. I’m so proud he wants to make amends rather than escalate. He wants to do the right thing for future generations…..POTUS bends down and hugs a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing seventy-one years ago. I watch from the press riser, fighting back tears. The president holds on to the man in a quiet, prolonged moment. And in their embrace I witness grace after unspeakable pain.”
The appearances President Obama made in Dorey-Stein’s memoir only made my esteem grow.
The Writing – I’m so impressed with Dorey-Stein’s wonderful storytelling, for that’s what her memoir was, a story. It was sharp and compelling with just the perfect amount of detail, reading like a novel.
What Didn’t
It ALL worked for me. Staying away from this book for any length of time proved to be nearly impossible. Occasionally, I found From the Corner of the Oval difficult to read, but only because it made me long for a different political climate than we have today.
{The Final Assessment}
I loved From the Corner of the Oval. It’s my favorite nonfiction read so far this year. Dorey-Stein made you feel like you were with her on an exciting 5-year journey. I found it alternately uplifting and heartbreaking sharing in her experiences with President Obama. Her admiration shone brightly and her sadness nearly overwhelmed. DO NOT miss Dorey-Stein’s “thanks” section at the end of her book. I cried. Grade: A
{My Thoughts}
What Worked For Me
A Craigslist Job – Beck Dorey-Stein, a teacher, first came to Washington DC for a semester as a tutor at the prestigious Sidwell school. She planned to head home shortly after that ended, but as happens to many young women, Dorey-Stein met a man, fell in love, and decided to stay. Finding a fulltime job proved to be almost impossible and Dorey-Stein was about to give up when she saw a job posted on Craigslist. (Yes, Craigslist!) Its description was vague and she didn’t take it seriously. In fact, she failed to attach the required cover letter and blew off her first interview. Thanks to a second chance and her high score on a placement test, Dorey-Stein found she had a job AND it was at the White House! She was less than happy about taking a job as a stenographer, but the perks? Incredible!
A Marriage of Life with Recent History – From the Corner of the Oval covers Dorey-Stein’s life from 2011 to 2017. Because of her position, it also covers much of what was going on in the world during that time. I found it refreshing to read a memoir where the context was so fresh in my own mind. When the entire White House entourage was flying off to a summit in Europe or Asia, I liked having my own memories of that happening. Dorey-Stein did a beautiful job weaving her personal narrative into her professional journey.
“We’re so different, but we’re swimming in this same punch-drunk delirium, and we have one major thing in common: We’ve found ourselves, shockingly, amazingly, how-the-f**k-did-this-happen crazily, flying half-way around the world on Air Force One. We are lucky. We are so goddamn lucky.”
The two sides of her life were closely wed, and unsurprisingly the job dominated both sides, with mixed results.
A President to Admire – Being an Obama fan made From the Corner of the Oval an extra special treat to read. Dorey-Stein’s position as a White House stenographer was NOT attached to Obama’s administration, but her loyalty to, and admiration for the man shone throughout her memoir. It was both refreshing and a little sad to read about people who worked closely with the president on a daily basis, and to feel the level of admiration they held for the man.
“When we arrive at the Hiroshima memorial and I listen to the president’s remarks, I’m so glad POTUS is POTUS. I’m so proud he wants to make amends rather than escalate. He wants to do the right thing for future generations…..POTUS bends down and hugs a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing seventy-one years ago. I watch from the press riser, fighting back tears. The president holds on to the man in a quiet, prolonged moment. And in their embrace I witness grace after unspeakable pain.”
The appearances President Obama made in Dorey-Stein’s memoir only made my esteem grow.
The Writing – I’m so impressed with Dorey-Stein’s wonderful storytelling, for that’s what her memoir was, a story. It was sharp and compelling with just the perfect amount of detail, reading like a novel.
What Didn’t
It ALL worked for me. Staying away from this book for any length of time proved to be nearly impossible. Occasionally, I found From the Corner of the Oval difficult to read, but only because it made me long for a different political climate than we have today.
{The Final Assessment}
I loved From the Corner of the Oval. It’s my favorite nonfiction read so far this year. Dorey-Stein made you feel like you were with her on an exciting 5-year journey. I found it alternately uplifting and heartbreaking sharing in her experiences with President Obama. Her admiration shone brightly and her sadness nearly overwhelmed. DO NOT miss Dorey-Stein’s “thanks” section at the end of her book. I cried. Grade: A
samburkhouse's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
ralphiereads76's review against another edition
3.0
Abandoned at 87%. This was super interesting before I was in DC. I think the no elty of her insider access to history was carrying it for me and all the relationship back and forth was ultimately not worth finishing.
anareadsbooks's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
3.5
So many thoughts but I need time to process them.
ke1cey's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
really interesting! great insight into a whole different world. weirdly misogynistic at times for a book that talks a lot about supporting women and female empowerment?
calling girls that jason hooks up with stupid, judging women for the way they dress (even though she complains about being judged for how she dresses). the whole arc about the rattler just seemed kind of weird and there was never really a resolution there.
book_chimpmunk's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great new voice - I laughed and cried and didn’t want it to end. This is a must read Obama staffer memoir.
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!!