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larilaris's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars, 10 stars, 1000 stars!!!!
Lemme start this review by stating a fact: I have always admired Michelle Obama. I first heard of the Obamas when I got into high school and signed up for a UN club, sort of like an after school club. By then I was 15 and they were almost over with the second term of their presidency. It took me one look to recognize goodness in her eyes. Even then, I never really looked into their work, their initiatives, I only followed their instagram accounts and when this book came out I put it on my list immediately.
Now, let me state another fact about me: I am a huge fan of memoirs and autobiographies. I just love reading people’s stories through their eyes, hearing their particular voices, and in this case, since I read it as an audiobook, it was a win win situation. twice, I’d even say.
The book is divided in three acts: her childhood and early adulthood years; her work, marriage and motherhood years; and, lastly, the eight years she spent as the first black First Lady of the United States. Now, listen, as a Brazilian, I’m not one of those who idolize life in the United States and I make an effort to teach my students other terms other than “American” to refer to citizens of the US (after all, we are all Americans and this term is rather exclusive). But, unfortunately, as a country in development, even though we have somewhat of a strong economy compared to other developing countries, we still get swayed by everything that comes from the US.
This book does a big serve in highlighting minorities in every position. Michelle writes in detail, which I personally really enjoyed, and at all times she makes a thousand connections to political matters and human matters. This is much more than politics (different from obamas memoir “a promised land”) and I wish people would read this book more, without being biased. I consider this one of the most enticing, well written book I have ever read. Is there anything Michelle Obama can’t do?
She explores bigger themes such as humanity, girls education, children’s nutrition education, mass shootings and violence, but also what it is to be a human, what place do we occupy on earth, what is our purpose, what it is like to be family and support loved ones, inspiration and the journey that is living.
I am sure “becoming” will go down in history as one of the best memoirs of this century, and possibly a gold mine for the next generations to understand the time we’ve been living better. I throughly enjoyed spending 19 hours of my life with Michelle Obama speaking on my ears, with a soothing voice, and I’m so ready to read her next project and her garden book (and every episode of her podcast, and everything she puts out later).
Lemme start this review by stating a fact: I have always admired Michelle Obama. I first heard of the Obamas when I got into high school and signed up for a UN club, sort of like an after school club. By then I was 15 and they were almost over with the second term of their presidency. It took me one look to recognize goodness in her eyes. Even then, I never really looked into their work, their initiatives, I only followed their instagram accounts and when this book came out I put it on my list immediately.
Now, let me state another fact about me: I am a huge fan of memoirs and autobiographies. I just love reading people’s stories through their eyes, hearing their particular voices, and in this case, since I read it as an audiobook, it was a win win situation. twice, I’d even say.
The book is divided in three acts: her childhood and early adulthood years; her work, marriage and motherhood years; and, lastly, the eight years she spent as the first black First Lady of the United States. Now, listen, as a Brazilian, I’m not one of those who idolize life in the United States and I make an effort to teach my students other terms other than “American” to refer to citizens of the US (after all, we are all Americans and this term is rather exclusive). But, unfortunately, as a country in development, even though we have somewhat of a strong economy compared to other developing countries, we still get swayed by everything that comes from the US.
This book does a big serve in highlighting minorities in every position. Michelle writes in detail, which I personally really enjoyed, and at all times she makes a thousand connections to political matters and human matters. This is much more than politics (different from obamas memoir “a promised land”) and I wish people would read this book more, without being biased. I consider this one of the most enticing, well written book I have ever read. Is there anything Michelle Obama can’t do?
She explores bigger themes such as humanity, girls education, children’s nutrition education, mass shootings and violence, but also what it is to be a human, what place do we occupy on earth, what is our purpose, what it is like to be family and support loved ones, inspiration and the journey that is living.
I am sure “becoming” will go down in history as one of the best memoirs of this century, and possibly a gold mine for the next generations to understand the time we’ve been living better. I throughly enjoyed spending 19 hours of my life with Michelle Obama speaking on my ears, with a soothing voice, and I’m so ready to read her next project and her garden book (and every episode of her podcast, and everything she puts out later).
valleycat's review against another edition
5.0
Just read it, or listen to the audiobook. The audiobook is AMAZING.
ptrcapmntn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
janel1994's review against another edition
5.0
I give this book all the stars. Very relatable. I identified with so much of how Michelle Obama was raised and her experience as a young female attorney. Her mother reminds me of my own mother. Practical and supportive without interfering. I laughed and teared up as I read this book. I highly recommend. Very well written.
reading_zuzu's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
sdelcharco's review against another edition
5.0
Although the Obamas are not of my political persuasion, I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir, getting to know both Michelle and Barack through her very personal stories.
deerielion's review against another edition
5.0
I've always wanted to get my hands on this since I heard her speeches years ago (but I never got to it until I found out my neighbour has it). She's articulated and charismatic in her own ways, and when she speaks it's captivating. One of my favourite quotes from her was, "When they go low, we go high."
While I may not agree with everything she opinionated (well, I don't have to), I liked how she wrote this book. It's an easy page-turner, feeling almost like she was talking to her readers. She'd let us in to her days from her childhood (my favourite part of the book) to her husband's run for presidency and finally her journey as FLOTUS.
While I may not agree with everything she opinionated (well, I don't have to), I liked how she wrote this book. It's an easy page-turner, feeling almost like she was talking to her readers. She'd let us in to her days from her childhood (my favourite part of the book) to her husband's run for presidency and finally her journey as FLOTUS.
mariadarc's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I was a fan of Michelle Obama before reading this book!
NOW, I am an even bigger fan. This woman is the definition of class and poise. I relate to her central premises: taking situations and deciding what to do to make things better, using your voice, putting your reputation behind causes in which you believe. She tells all of this about her time as First Lady and talks about growing up working class and using her education and drive as a lever to pull herself out of where she started into the woman she has become. If I can be so bold: I can relate to that since my education changed my life, too!
NOW, I am an even bigger fan. This woman is the definition of class and poise. I relate to her central premises: taking situations and deciding what to do to make things better, using your voice, putting your reputation behind causes in which you believe. She tells all of this about her time as First Lady and talks about growing up working class and using her education and drive as a lever to pull herself out of where she started into the woman she has become. If I can be so bold: I can relate to that since my education changed my life, too!