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jesshasty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
lsmith1027's review
5.0
Page turner
This book was addicting and I finished it in 2 days! Beck's writing put me in her shoes and as a DC resident it was all-to-relatable. I can't wait to read more of her work in the future.
This book was addicting and I finished it in 2 days! Beck's writing put me in her shoes and as a DC resident it was all-to-relatable. I can't wait to read more of her work in the future.
laurenisallbooked's review against another edition
4.0
Love the behind the scenes Obama era insights and the disastrous love life of a 20-something figuring it out. This book is all the fun of a tabloid made for politicos.
cooperca's review against another edition
2.0
Memoir's are a tough thing to review. Obviously it's quite personal to the author, the choices they make, what to include or exclude, how honest do they really want to be. I had seen Ms. Dorey-Stein being interviewed and she seemed personable and someone who would have a unique perspective on the Obama years. Sadly, that did not come through in this book.
There's a line towards the end of the book (p. 282) that summed up my feelings about From the Corner of the Oval - "Holy shit, what a disaster."
Most of the time it read like a junior high diary of a young girl. 'Oh my God, does he like me? Do they like me? Oh, I got to sit at the cool table today. Sam, he's so dreamy, but Jason, he's dreamy too. Does sleeping with Jason count as being unfaithful to Sam if we do it in a hotel?' OK, it wasn't quite like that, but my god, her obsession first with Sam and then with Jason was tiresome!
The shooting at Pulse got one sentence and it was only so she could reference a story about Jason and then rambled on for 10-15 paragraphs about Jason and her obsession. Merrick Garland was worthy of a sentence. But then again, it was only so she could reference another Jason story. Blah blah blah, Jason. Blah blah blah, Jason.
The only saving grace was the occasional story about her role as a stenographer in the White House: the responsibilities, the foreign trips, the camaraderie that arrises due the job requirements and time spent together. I wish the editor and prodded more of those stories out of Ms. Dorey-Stein.
Towards the end I just started skimming the pages and would stop only when she discussed her job. Too bad, this could have been something really well done.
"On November 6, 2012, POTUS wins reelection because he's the baddest motherfucker in the game." (p. 64)
There's a line towards the end of the book (p. 282) that summed up my feelings about From the Corner of the Oval - "Holy shit, what a disaster."
Most of the time it read like a junior high diary of a young girl. 'Oh my God, does he like me? Do they like me? Oh, I got to sit at the cool table today. Sam, he's so dreamy, but Jason, he's dreamy too. Does sleeping with Jason count as being unfaithful to Sam if we do it in a hotel?' OK, it wasn't quite like that, but my god, her obsession first with Sam and then with Jason was tiresome!
The shooting at Pulse got one sentence and it was only so she could reference a story about Jason and then rambled on for 10-15 paragraphs about Jason and her obsession. Merrick Garland was worthy of a sentence. But then again, it was only so she could reference another Jason story. Blah blah blah, Jason. Blah blah blah, Jason.
The only saving grace was the occasional story about her role as a stenographer in the White House: the responsibilities, the foreign trips, the camaraderie that arrises due the job requirements and time spent together. I wish the editor and prodded more of those stories out of Ms. Dorey-Stein.
Towards the end I just started skimming the pages and would stop only when she discussed her job. Too bad, this could have been something really well done.
"On November 6, 2012, POTUS wins reelection because he's the baddest motherfucker in the game." (p. 64)
bsmith27's review against another edition
4.0
A true story of the stenographer who worked for Obama.
kimberussell's review against another edition
3.0
It’s another Obama staffer memoir, a coming-of-age (albeit in one’s late 20s) story with a huge side helping of Hope. Beck Dorey-Stein was in DC with no full-time job prospects (but multiple crappy PT jobs) when she answered an ad that turned out to be a job as a stenographer in Barack Obama’s administration. Soon she’s in “The Bubble” — keeping crazy hours, traveling around the world, making better money, etc. But she’s also trying to find herself and what she’s supposed to do with her post-Obama career amidst a chain of questionable relationship decisions. It was funny and gossipy enough that WM was reading over my shoulder on the plane ride back from Disney.
Three stars and I wonder how many condoms the staff used during the 8-year administration….
Three stars and I wonder how many condoms the staff used during the 8-year administration….
elliereads97's review against another edition
3.0
read this during my D.C. trip! refreshingly personal, no-holds-barred memoir of one stenographer's time in the white house. many moments of beautiful prose. so much heartbreak. so, so many bad decisions. i think it dragged a smidge too long and got a little repetitive, but dorey-stein's honesty and emotion was so good.
futuredocmartin's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
Would have been rated higher if not for the fact that I wanted to scream every time the author mentions sleeping with Jason .