Becoming by Michelle Obama
Release Date: November 13th 2018
Source: Purchased
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 426
Buy it: Amazon|B&N|Book Depository
In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African-American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Source: Purchased
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 426
Buy it: Amazon|B&N|Book Depository
Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare. In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.
It took me longer than I wanted to pick up this book, not because I did not want to, but because I wanted to sit down with just this book and nothing else. I wanted to have no distractions so that I could take in every word that Michelle Obama had to say. It is extremely important that this book has come out now not only because she is the former First Lady, but because it showcases her own accomplishments as a successful strong black woman in America. This book provides insight on Michelle's own private thoughts from everything ranging to her evolving romance with Barack to the painful transition to the current administration after the Obama's left the White House. I needed this dose of wisdom in a time like this when the world seems so bleak and I am uncertain what the future holds for myself, what the future holds for our society, it is nice to hear Michelle and Barack's optimism for the world.
The one emotion that I felt throughout reading this book was hope. Michelle's heartfelt openness about her life thus far inspired me to keep moving. She describes how through this book she is "slaying the caricatures and stereotypes with my own words." And through this she reveals her qualities as well as her flaws, her triumphs and disappointments, her difficult compromises and forthrightness and all the lessons she has learned from this. How she failed the Bar Exam the first time she took it and how she should have seen it as a sign she did not want to become a lawyer, but instead retook the test because she did not want to fail. How she ended up leaving the profession anyways to do non-profit work, where her true passion was. Her words and dedication to her own progress was truly inspirational.
There was one quote that stuck with me after I set this book down, “So many of us go through life with our stories hidden feeling ashamed or afraid when our whole truth doesn’t live up to some established ideal. We grow up with messages that tell us that there is 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.” It inspires me to be the change that I want to see in the world. Growing up in New York, I was surrounded by diversity everywhere I went. But moving to Ohio for three years, I felt like I had gone backwards. Being the only person of color in a classroom, the only person of color on the floor of my dorm did not feel right. Having a racist and homophobic roommate became too much for me to handle, so I left. But I realize now that I should have stayed. I should not have let them win. But it felt like too much to do on my own. I never found my people who understood my struggles because they were going through it too. Michelle's book helped me to realize that it is okay to make these decisions for yourself. That things may seem chaotic right now, but things will work out. Just breathe and things will fall into place eventually.
I appreciated the way she captures how being a First Lady is not technically a job and she has no executive power but she has, as she describes, a “soft power” to influence and change through her speeches, her actions and her demeanor. Realizing that being a woman of color on the cover of a magazine or wearing garments from designers of color represented much more than what it seemed. When she talks about how women in the public eye always needed to be followed by a stylist, hairdresser and makeup artist. How it is "a built in fee for our societal double standard," where as Barack only had to wear a suit. She was aware of the responsibility and privileges of her position, but also demonstrates how she handles it with intelligence, strength and faith – and how her optimism is a form of faith.
It is rare that a novel will change my life, but I know I will think about this book each and everyday of my life. I will aspire to be someone half as great as Michelle Obama. To find love and success in my career as she has is all a woman could dream of. I dare anyone to pick up this book and not feel inspired by her words. Though the role of First Lady is not technically a job, she treated it as such. Becoming by Michelle Obama gets 5 out of 5 stars from me!
What is your favorite memoir? Let me know in the comments down below.
Thanks Hons,
Lee Chand
Lovely review, Lee! The Obama presidency seems like a glorious fading dream now. I'd love to see Michelle Obama announce her bid for 2020 but in many ways I wouldn't wish what is inevitably going to be a nasty race on her. I'm sure she'll carry on achieving great things outside politics.
ReplyDeleteIt is bitter sweet. She continues to inspire us all
DeleteSo glad to see your enthusiasm for this book! I'm actually planning to listen to it on Radio 4's Book of the Week at some point this month, probably via the BBC app, as this seems to be the best way for me to keep up with some of the newly published books these days. :)
ReplyDeleteEveryone should listen to it. Hearing Michelle read it herself is how it is supposed to be read in my opinion.
DeleteI started my year with this book, and it continues to be one of my favorites so far. I really like how she writes about the sacrifices her parents made to ensure a better life for her and her brother. She really comes off as being so grounded. A nice contrast to the current first family.
ReplyDeletehahaha! reading this i realized that she is more grounded than some d list celebrities.
DeleteJust wow! Great book, very easy to relate to and gives me some hope in these rough times. Nice to be reminded that some people do things for the greater good and have pure hearts.
ReplyDeleteshe really does not have a bad bone in her body
DeleteGreat review Lee! I so love the Obamas and feel that she has always been an inspiration to women. I agree with Laura as the well definitely has run dry.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I am about 4 hours into the audiobook of this one so far and I'm loving it. She really is an incredible woman.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the audiobook amazing!?
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