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kristianawithak's review against another edition
4.0
Becoming is encouraging and beautiful.
Obama does an excellent job describing where she came from and the upbringing of her life. She is inspirational and the overall book is approachable to all.
The book, at times, reads as a response. Obama adds her point of view to the controversial and criticized moments of the campaign and presidency. She does not come across as combative, the tone of the book is gentle. She is aware of how her words will be interpreted and judged, and how they were scrutinized previously. Obama supports and defends the president’s actions, showing the weight Barack Obama shouldered for the country.
It’s a wonderful portrait of the Michelle Obama and is surprisingly relatable. Women can relate to the struggles of balance in work and home, choosing to step away from a career to support your family, setting a course to become more than your upbringing but wanting to find meaningful work and not just success.
The feelings Obama expresses about the oppressive weight of security details and how she shrunk herself to not disrupt the normalcy of others was the most striking part of the book. It weaves its way through much of the latter half of the book and comes up frequently. Choosing to skip out on college tours and her girls tennis games, because she did not want to disrupt other people’s normalcy is weighty. Choosing to stay indoors instead of going on a balcony because of how it would disrupt the tourists outside. Here is a woman who is aware of her place in history, who bears a different weight on her shoulders for the country, her race and her gender. The reader is given a small glimpse of that weight.
It is an excellent book.
Obama does an excellent job describing where she came from and the upbringing of her life. She is inspirational and the overall book is approachable to all.
The book, at times, reads as a response. Obama adds her point of view to the controversial and criticized moments of the campaign and presidency. She does not come across as combative, the tone of the book is gentle. She is aware of how her words will be interpreted and judged, and how they were scrutinized previously. Obama supports and defends the president’s actions, showing the weight Barack Obama shouldered for the country.
It’s a wonderful portrait of the Michelle Obama and is surprisingly relatable. Women can relate to the struggles of balance in work and home, choosing to step away from a career to support your family, setting a course to become more than your upbringing but wanting to find meaningful work and not just success.
The feelings Obama expresses about the oppressive weight of security details and how she shrunk herself to not disrupt the normalcy of others was the most striking part of the book. It weaves its way through much of the latter half of the book and comes up frequently. Choosing to skip out on college tours and her girls tennis games, because she did not want to disrupt other people’s normalcy is weighty. Choosing to stay indoors instead of going on a balcony because of how it would disrupt the tourists outside. Here is a woman who is aware of her place in history, who bears a different weight on her shoulders for the country, her race and her gender. The reader is given a small glimpse of that weight.
It is an excellent book.
solarmidnight's review against another edition
4.0
This is such an important book that everyone should read. The Obamas were at the forefront of modern history for eight years. Getting an insight into their lives - and Michelle Obama's history - is paramount to understanding who they are and what they believed in. Plus, it's interesting reading about a historical election campaign and victory from the wife of the first black president.
I did take a star away because I felt like the book dragged on for longer than it needed to in parts, but overall there really is no reason not to read this book!
I did take a star away because I felt like the book dragged on for longer than it needed to in parts, but overall there really is no reason not to read this book!
liznew's review against another edition
4.0
I truly enjoyed reading this memoir. Such a remarkable woman! I did read quickly through the campaign trail sections though, preferring the sections that were more personal to her story.
lauracaldy's review against another edition
5.0
Not only did I love this book, but I loved hearing her talk about it and could listen to the audiobook.
madiwerb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Inspiring, exhilarating, emotional. I loved every second.
beckylmartin's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I enjoy her writing (and reading) style. The narrative was detailed but well organized so I never felt drowned by the specificity. Her direct challenge to the reader felt inspiring not patronizing.
del98's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0