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albon's review against another edition
5.0
2020 review:
Really really loved this memoir from Michelle Obama. Michelle comes across as thoughtful and funny, a person who knows where she comes from, but has also learned to embrace the power she now has so she can create real change. I would say that she sounds like a great person to be friends with, but she did invite her friends on vacation and then turned it into a bootcamp and tried to forbid snacks and wine, so maybe I would prefer to just be her distant acquaintance, but not a close enough friend to be invited on vacation with her.
I loved the insight in how the White House works, and how you have to work around that to try and live a normal family life. It sounds like she and Barack did a great job, and gave their kids so many experiences and opportunities while still keeping the family grounded.
It makes me sad to think about how much of a joke the sitting US president is. Michelle calls him out in this book, she does not hold back, and it's just crazy to think that it has not gotten better in the last few years, if anything it's worse now. Obviously the Obama presidency was in no way perfect, but the difference between him and Trump is still just crazy, and reading this just really enforced that impression. Despite the kind of depressing ending to everything, it did feel comforting to read this memoir, it felt like it was transporting me back to a happier, pre-20216 time (if I'm allowed to say that as a non-American). Nothing is perfect but there is a sliver of hope in here that the future can always be better than where we are right now, and I'm going to hold on to that hope.
Really really loved this memoir from Michelle Obama. Michelle comes across as thoughtful and funny, a person who knows where she comes from, but has also learned to embrace the power she now has so she can create real change. I would say that she sounds like a great person to be friends with, but she did invite her friends on vacation and then turned it into a bootcamp and tried to forbid snacks and wine, so maybe I would prefer to just be her distant acquaintance, but not a close enough friend to be invited on vacation with her.
I loved the insight in how the White House works, and how you have to work around that to try and live a normal family life. It sounds like she and Barack did a great job, and gave their kids so many experiences and opportunities while still keeping the family grounded.
It makes me sad to think about how much of a joke the sitting US president is. Michelle calls him out in this book, she does not hold back, and it's just crazy to think that it has not gotten better in the last few years, if anything it's worse now. Obviously the Obama presidency was in no way perfect, but the difference between him and Trump is still just crazy, and reading this just really enforced that impression. Despite the kind of depressing ending to everything, it did feel comforting to read this memoir, it felt like it was transporting me back to a happier, pre-20216 time (if I'm allowed to say that as a non-American). Nothing is perfect but there is a sliver of hope in here that the future can always be better than where we are right now, and I'm going to hold on to that hope.
janaidebra's review against another edition
5.0
She was so honest and upfront and it made me love her more than I already did. Such a good read and insight into her life from childhood until now. No detail left untouched. I definitely recommend this to any and everyone. You may just see her in a light you never thought you would.
bellaustralia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
ilovebooksalltoowell's review against another edition
5.0
A really interesting inside look in the lives of this intriguing family. I even have more respect for them than I already had. A recommendation to read!
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected to, despite all the the positive press I didn’t expect much. Right now, autobiographies are just ways for people to make some money and get their name in the press. This autobiography was so much more and I’m so glad to have experienced it.
Her story felt clear eyed and reflective, while still being brutally honest. She made this book encompass her whole self from start to present, creating something that is more than the story of a First Lady and instead the reflections of a strong and successful woman. I loved her relatability, her obvious strength, her ability to clearly state what happened without appearing to give judgement. Her stories about her extended family were beautiful and her recounting of the passing of her father made me cry. I went in knowing little about her, but now I admire her and feel like I glimpsed her intimately. As a fun bonus, the picture she painted of Chicago as it was has impacted my view of Chicago that I see today.
Her story felt clear eyed and reflective, while still being brutally honest. She made this book encompass her whole self from start to present, creating something that is more than the story of a First Lady and instead the reflections of a strong and successful woman. I loved her relatability, her obvious strength, her ability to clearly state what happened without appearing to give judgement. Her stories about her extended family were beautiful and her recounting of the passing of her father made me cry. I went in knowing little about her, but now I admire her and feel like I glimpsed her intimately. As a fun bonus, the picture she painted of Chicago as it was has impacted my view of Chicago that I see today.
lenkaengels's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
ndc97's review against another edition
5.0
michelle’s thoughts and reflections made me feel so seen❤️