alanathehangry's review against another edition
5.0
I downloaded this audiobook because I needed a source of comfort. Work had been running me ragged and I needed a story that would lift me up and wrap me in an embrace. And, after waiting and hoping someone would buy it for me, I purchased Becoming by Michelle Obama. I was drawn in immediately.
Her voice was soothing and warm, instantly putting me at ease and reminding of one thing: hope. Michelle tells her story from her childhood in the south side of Chicago to her getting into Princeton and then becoming a successful lawyer. We know her story as it is on a resume. But it’s the little things that make this book such a treasure. It’s the color that she draws onto a black and white map, inviting others along the way.
I finished this book in 11 days, using every spare moment to wrap myself in Michelle’s voice, her story, her lessons. I couldn't get enough. It made me laugh, tear up, and exclaim, "What!" And more than anything it feels honest. She doesn't cover up the ugly moments as you might expect someone of her position to and she reveals the raw hurts that she's gone through, the mistakes she's made, to perhaps embolden her readers to be honest as well.
I'm not a big memoir reader, but I loved this book. I loved it in its audio form. I loved the honesty, the memories, the stories, and the human nature of it all.
Her voice was soothing and warm, instantly putting me at ease and reminding of one thing: hope. Michelle tells her story from her childhood in the south side of Chicago to her getting into Princeton and then becoming a successful lawyer. We know her story as it is on a resume. But it’s the little things that make this book such a treasure. It’s the color that she draws onto a black and white map, inviting others along the way.
I finished this book in 11 days, using every spare moment to wrap myself in Michelle’s voice, her story, her lessons. I couldn't get enough. It made me laugh, tear up, and exclaim, "What!" And more than anything it feels honest. She doesn't cover up the ugly moments as you might expect someone of her position to and she reveals the raw hurts that she's gone through, the mistakes she's made, to perhaps embolden her readers to be honest as well.
I'm not a big memoir reader, but I loved this book. I loved it in its audio form. I loved the honesty, the memories, the stories, and the human nature of it all.
mhkennadixon's review against another edition
I really wanted to read/finish this book, I did. But I just couldn't, and I don't know if it has anything to do with her writing style so much as the fact that I. can't. read. nonfiction. Not my style. That said, I'm sure her story is amazing.
sahithi1200's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
fidoe's review against another edition
5.0
Week 53 Book 102
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Rating: 5/5
Michelle Obama is an inspirational woman. Becoming, her memoir chronicling her growing up years, her quest for the best education, her meeting her husband, and the unexpected chance to be the First Lady of the United States.. is a beautiful read. What made the experience even better was listening to her narrate her story on Audible. She may be a Black African American woman in USA, but her story is one that is relatable for women around the world.
She came from a simple middle class family and worked very hard to get where she reached, despite the challenges. She married Barack Obama, an ambitious and determined man, but that didn't stop her from pursuing her goals and ambitions. She became the First Lady of the United States, but her identity as Michelle didn't fade away. She is an exemplary woman, a strong personality, a conscientious citizen and a dedicated daughter, wife and mother. Her struggles to keep her family together and normal during their stint at the White House, her endeavours towards education and nutrition for American kids, especially girls, is commendable. Whether you agree with the Obama's politics or not, you cannot deny they're a class apart!
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Rating: 5/5
Michelle Obama is an inspirational woman. Becoming, her memoir chronicling her growing up years, her quest for the best education, her meeting her husband, and the unexpected chance to be the First Lady of the United States.. is a beautiful read. What made the experience even better was listening to her narrate her story on Audible. She may be a Black African American woman in USA, but her story is one that is relatable for women around the world.
She came from a simple middle class family and worked very hard to get where she reached, despite the challenges. She married Barack Obama, an ambitious and determined man, but that didn't stop her from pursuing her goals and ambitions. She became the First Lady of the United States, but her identity as Michelle didn't fade away. She is an exemplary woman, a strong personality, a conscientious citizen and a dedicated daughter, wife and mother. Her struggles to keep her family together and normal during their stint at the White House, her endeavours towards education and nutrition for American kids, especially girls, is commendable. Whether you agree with the Obama's politics or not, you cannot deny they're a class apart!
dorothy_gale's review against another edition
5.0
Great book! I give it 4.99 stars. I chose it because I have tickets to see her in person on 2/8/2019; I probably otherwise wouldn't have ever read it since it's 19 hours long. I finished in 16 days, which is pretty quick for me. I love that it goes into so much detail about so many things. I also found several surprising parallels between her life and mine, down to the smell of her mom cleaning with pine sol. I did find that she wavered with her faith in her husband's odds AND, how could anyone not? On the political side, I do have a smidgen of remorse for being so checked out during their 8 years in the white house, but given what I had going on at the time, I wouldn't change a thing. So I'm glad she wrote this book and that it is so popular AND that she's on a tour. I've not read any of her husband's books, and hers was enough to have me peek at them but I don't really feel driven to pick them up yet. It was cool that she narrated this herself -- I love when authors do that. She seems authentic.
mattyvreads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
A profound and indefatigably hopeful piece of literature. Michelle Obama is a consummate storyteller.
She interweaves each memory and insight with purpose in order to reveal a larger message of resilience, hope, kindness, love, and empowerment.
This is a wonderful read.
She interweaves each memory and insight with purpose in order to reveal a larger message of resilience, hope, kindness, love, and empowerment.
This is a wonderful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Gun violence, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery, Sexual harassment, Rape, Hate crime, Violence, and Police brutality
reddish_moose's review against another edition
3.0
The beginning is great but it drags a bit at the end
_simplyread's review against another edition
5.0
This book was amazing. I loved the authenticity of it, she told her story, the ups and downs of being a First Lady, and she didn’t pretend.
ccash1's review against another edition
5.0
an absolutely amazing book. she writes in such an eloquent way, and it felt so personal. i felt the emotions she wrote, being brought to tears more than once. absolutely outstanding