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4.57 AVERAGE
4.57 AVERAGE
“We grow up with messages that tell us that there’s only one way to be American- that if our skin is dark or our hips are wide, if we don’t experience love in a particular way, if we speak another language or come from another country, then we don’t belong. That is, until someone dares to start telling that story differently.”
I loved this book! I could relate so much to her own concerns over expectations and self-doubt found in both her environment and herself. She truly is the voice of ambitious women of color everywhere! I truly have treasured having grown up with her as an inspiration, especially as someone who grew up with similar experiences. Definitely a must read!
I loved this book! I could relate so much to her own concerns over expectations and self-doubt found in both her environment and herself. She truly is the voice of ambitious women of color everywhere! I truly have treasured having grown up with her as an inspiration, especially as someone who grew up with similar experiences. Definitely a must read!
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Very inspiring read! It's been a long long time since I finished a book within days - definitely a page-turner! I love every bit of this book!
I’m not sure how to put into words what all this book meant to me. But I’m going to try.
Admittedly, I don’t know much about politicians or their wives. I’m pretty cynical and untrusting of people, especially if they make grand promises, so I stay pretty detached from politics. I came into this only knowing 2 things about Michelle Obama. 1. her arms are amazing, and 2. she once wore shorts getting off Air Force One. The shorts tidbit I only know because it angered members of my family, which I didn’t and still don’t really understand. After finishing this book, I feel FIRED UP (in a good way) and positive. More positive than I’ve feel in a LONG time, because of the hateful things said and done by people on all ends and sides of the political spectrum in the US. This book is so much more than an autobiography. It’s a motivational book, a call to action, and a memoir. As a woman of color, I HIGHLY recommend this book to other women, especially women of color. But honestly I think this book is good for anyone, of any gender, any age, and any race.
Admittedly, I don’t know much about politicians or their wives. I’m pretty cynical and untrusting of people, especially if they make grand promises, so I stay pretty detached from politics. I came into this only knowing 2 things about Michelle Obama. 1. her arms are amazing, and 2. she once wore shorts getting off Air Force One. The shorts tidbit I only know because it angered members of my family, which I didn’t and still don’t really understand. After finishing this book, I feel FIRED UP (in a good way) and positive. More positive than I’ve feel in a LONG time, because of the hateful things said and done by people on all ends and sides of the political spectrum in the US. This book is so much more than an autobiography. It’s a motivational book, a call to action, and a memoir. As a woman of color, I HIGHLY recommend this book to other women, especially women of color. But honestly I think this book is good for anyone, of any gender, any age, and any race.
This was good... but not as good as I expected. Michelle Obama is an amazing person, and I'm in awe of her accomplishments, which actually makes for a compelling first 2/3 of the book. She is excellent at self-reflection and is a talented writer*, but the last 1/3 of the book (much of which covered her husband's presidency) just didn't appeal to me - probably because I'm more interested in her childhood and public service than I am in White House social engagements. Still, her description of day-to-day life as the First Lady is interesting, although not deserving of the hundred pages it received.
*Have since learned that the book is ghostwritten, which I've always felt iffy about.
*Have since learned that the book is ghostwritten, which I've always felt iffy about.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Nonfiction is not my preferred genre, but I am trying to step out of my comfort zone and this was a perfect book for that! Michelle writes like she it talking to a friend, and so I have decided we are friends. She gives you a glimpse of her life growing up in Chicago, then touches on college (frankly, I would have liked more from this part of her life), before focusing on her adult life. We get to see lawyer Michelle, dating Barack, job changes, parenthood, and how she rectified her goals with Barack's political ambitions. She owed us nothing, but gave us insights into her life anyway. Her hopes, her fears, her triumphs, and her dreams. I was devastated when she said she and Barack did not like Les Mis and walked out at intermission (it's one of my favorites). The appreciation and admiration that I have for her has only grown from reading her memoir, but now I have facts and not just feelings to back it up.
An amazing book; the first part of the book was a little slow and took some time for me. However, after about an hour of reading, I was hooked and loved every minute. Absolutely recommend.