Book review: Becoming by Michelle Obama

I received Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming as a Christmas gift from my parents. It will not surprise you to hear that I didn't read it until last weekend during a road trip. Requisite Amazon summary, even though we all know what it's about:

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. 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.

Reader, it was just that good. Michelle looks over her life and shares it with us, including the bad alongside the good, and the personal and sometimes embarrassing alongside the triumphant. She went to Princeton AND Harvard Law School! I mean. I was already thrilled that we share a first name, but our elementary schools also have the same name! I loved getting these glimpses into her life, and how honest she was about her struggles in her marriage and her role as FLOTUS. You really see the sacrifices that the Obamas went through during Barack's presidency. Michelle has really made so many efforts, time and time again, to make the world a better place and inspire girls to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams. I love her. I loved this book. Read it.

"Am I enough? Yes I am." ~Michelle Obama

Score: 5 out of 5 stars
Read in: late March
From: gift
Format: hardcover
Status: keep

p.s. This is my 200th blog entry!