Becoming
Ratings484
Average rating4.5
I loved the behind the scenes nature of the book and getting a glimpse into a person's life who didn't choose to be a political figure, but happened to be married to someone who did. I had never put much thought into the experience of the spouses or other family members of political leaders and I am glad I got to see life from Michelle Obama's perspective. I appreciated seeing the struggles Michelle went through, not only because she married Barack Obama, the Senator and the President, but also just growing up on the South Side of Chicago in the 1970s.
I found the last quarter of the book to be more moving and inspiring than the earlier parts of the book, but I still very much enjoyed the beginning and hearing about Michelle's life prior to being Michelle Obama the political figure and I know that reading about her early life is critical to understanding how she came to be the positive, dedicated, and hardworking person she is today.
I highly recommend the audiobook as Michelle narrates it herself and I think that lends a lot of personality to the book.
A life that is still becoming
If you have not already done so, I highly recommend you read this book. While I learned a lot about our first First Lady of color, I also learned a lot about her husband. If you had any interest in their administration, then I believe you will find this look at her life in particular and her daughters and husband's life as part of hers to be quite interesting.
When someone complains about having to cancel a wine subscription in order to “make ends meet”, you've already lost me.
Listened to the audiobook narrated by Michelle - definitely recommend!
Learnt a lot of things I didn't know about the Obamas. Feels super relevant as we come into the 2020 elections.
5/5 stars
talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before
What an amazing women she is! I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though I don't read a lot of non fiction books. The photos in the middle were awesome too! I have seen the carpool karaoke she did with James Cordon that she talks about near the end. To learn she likes HGTV made my day, since I got addicted to that channel during lockdown.
A much needed read in the 2020 realm, with an election close approaching, after listening to my first lady I was given a much needed reminder of hope. I miss the grace of this family. I enjoyed listening and learning more about Michelle and her family, her history, and her voice! I recommend this book! Michelle is a strong advocate for women's education - be sure to read [b:I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban 17851885 I Am Malala The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban Malala Yousafzai https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1375414895l/17851885.SY75.jpg 24987300] if you enjoyed this book. - Book rec by Shay
This book is the definition of mixed feelings.
I liked:
- The style; she alternated between giving a speech formal tone, and casual day-to-day tone which gave the book a relatable feel.
- Parts about empowering women, especially motherhood and the torturous path of a woman of color towards success.
- Parts about social change, especially female empowerment and diet changes.
I didn't like:
-Using the book as a platform to send political hits, even tho she mentioned continuously that she didn't believe or is not actively involved in politics.
- Making petty comments trying to defend herself against past political attacks.
- Not enough vulnerability, when needed. Don't get me wrong, I know she's a strong woman, but if we wanted to hear about achievements or moments of strengths, we would've watched the news.
Former first lady Michelle Obama tells the story of her life, from childhood through her time in the White House. It's an inspirational story of the strengths of a strong family of origin, hard work, and connections that open doors.
Inspiring, personal, and relatable.
Inspiring to see the sheer amount of work that the Obamas put in, both during and before the presidency. Great tales from them working hard and pushing through exhausting, tough times.
Lots of great thoughts on parenting. I enjoyed the details on how Barack worked, and the solitude he demanded.
I listened to this audiobook in very small doses for many months now because I just didn't want it to be over.
What more can I say about this brilliant role model of a woman that is Michelle Obama that hasn't already been said. Her story is inspirational, her narration is excellent and this memoir is a must read. Go read it or listen to it if you haven't already because you are missing out.
I'm not usually one for books by public figures, especially those with some tie to contemporary politics. I read for escapism, for distance from push notifications about neverending election cycles. So why read this? I don't know. I don't know why I do what I do. But I just happened to wrap it up on Michelle Obama's birthday, and was surprised by how much I liked it.
More than anything, Becoming is about the impossible balancing act that comes with being someone like Michelle Obama. She's been branded everything and its opposite: too much and not enough, loved and hated, worshipped and demonized. She recalls how soundbites and outfits morphed into scathing headlines. One journalist called her the “princess of South Chicago,” while others argued she didn't know how to conduct herself around Queen Elizabeth. She was alleged to hate both America and Oscar de la Renta. She was a liability.
Many have explored this idea of balancing the personal and professional, have felt trapped in a tug-of-war between being successful and being well-liked. Every factor involved in that is magnified and complicated by being the first Black FLOTUS to the first Black POTUS.
Being shielded by security, yet under worldwide scrutiny. Living in a fortress equipped with a bowling alley and personal chefs, yet not having the freedom to open a window. Trying to divide time between your children and the constituents who elected their father (as well as those who didn't). It was so difficult, yet she is so grateful. It was exhausting, but such an honor.
Mrs. Obama also discusses imposter syndrome: asking herself whether she's good enough, whether she's done enough, whether she's done good. She talks about building confidence in herself, in her kids, in kids in general. Her perspective was too individualistic for me at some points, but you don't get to the White House with my cynicism. Becoming is a warm memoir chronicling the unique experiences of a woman who broke new ground, then did so more literally by planting a beautiful garden.
I wanted to like this book so badly because I heard so many wonderful things about it, but it was sooooooooooo slow. Autobiographies are typically the only nonfiction I enjoy, but this one just felt dry.
I am so glad I decided to read (listen) to this book. Michelle shared her story from childhood to current day. I was able to partly understand how she dealt with 8 years in the white house.
Although she grew up without a lot of extras, she was fortunate to have the ability to go to a good school.
Everyone should read this book.
medium: audiobook
This book was a long journey, like that of Michelle. This book could be divided into two major sections: pre and post Barack.
I, for one, enjoyed her stories and tales of her life before Barack far more. Due to Barack's skill and ambition, the later half was heavily influenced by his political career and how it altered the very fabric of Michelle's life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of her growing up on the south side and tales of her wonderful parents, sibling love, community bond - it was all very wholesome and also very inspiring. Michelle is a force of a woman, this book brought to light many reasons to support that statement. She is driven, ambitious, kind, caring, vulnerable and a total badass.
I respected her and look up to her in awe even more now.
Second favourite autobiography of the year, for sure!
“... becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim, I see it as a forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuosly to a better self. The journey doesn't end” - this line at the end sums up the message of her life quite well.
I hope to write a longer, I detail piece on this book. The way she covered several topics (including Trump) were done with such grace and dignity. Yupp, not getting over her for a while.
Also, slightly sad that she confirms not ever wanting to run for office :'/
[b:Becoming 38746485 Becoming Michelle Obama https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528206996l/38746485.SY75.jpg 60334006]I picked this book up way behind the curve. However, I can not tell you how much I enjoyed it. In Becoming, First Lady Michelle Obama, not only gives us a detailed look into the night of the November 4th, 2008 Presidential election, but she steps back in time after the introduction and gives us layers of her personal life from childhood to puberty and from puberty to adulthood. We walk the blocks of Euclid Avenue on the Southside of Chicago. We meet her parents Marian and Fraser Robinson, and her elder brother Craig, as well as extended family members, like her Uncle “Southside,” who introduces Michelle to jazz and Motown artists such as, Stevie Wonder. We would return to Michelle's small house that was shared with her great Aunt who taught her piano. We would feel Michelle's angsts from her first piano recital to her big decision to fight to get into Princeton.Early on, we could tell that the young Michelle Robinson, who was filled with curious questions, would grow up to be an intelligent and independent woman. Without question, you could foresee her breaking White House traditions as First Lady, not disrespectfully, but in a way that awakened a new dawn and era. She gives women who are trying to live their dreams hope that dreams are possible. That you can fall in love have a job and be successful all with a smile on your face. Socially, it seems Michelle chose her friends and boyfriends as wisely as she chose her career. She never lowered her standards. Her every move seemed calculated and driven by a checklist until she met Barack Obama. Obama was a man who helped Michelle to relax her shoulders, have some ice cream, and breathe and appreciate the spontaneity of life. He also helped her to find her true passion in order to discover genuine happiness.In this book, Michelle lays out a plate of honesty that spills over human imperfections that we all contend with on the day-to-day basis. She didn't hide her flaws or pretend to be someone she is not. Thus, my favorite quote is: “Barack and I told our stories and shared our stories because too often people focus on stats. Stats do not tell us who people are.” It is therefore not surprising that Michelle and Barack Obama won the 2018 Most Admired People, despite not being in office anymore. People feel connected to public figures who are honest, compassionate, forgiving, and sincere.I hope this book shows much more many people you can become anything you want as long as you do it 100% for yourself. Five starts across the board.
Summary: A memoir, including her years as First Lady, but not particularly focused on the politics.
I have heard a number of people commend Becoming to me, so I assumed it would be well written and I would enjoy it. Becoming was not over hyped. I have read a number of political memoirs, and I think this is probably the best of them, although that may be in part because she is not running for anything and she is not a particularly political person.
Becoming is primarily focused on her early years, and her life before becoming First Lady. The two years before Obama took office and the two terms in office are roughly the last third of the book. I was both more interested in her early years and in her as a person than the politics, so this was great for me.
I used to live in Hyde Park. Barak Obama was my State Rep then State Senator before being elected to US Senator right before I moved out of Hyde Park. I met Barak only one time, when he was a guest lecturer for a class in the spring of 1998. I went up to talk to him after class because I was having a problem with some non-profit work I was doing for my job and he was happy to talk through it briefly and let me know he would be happy to help if I needed help. I remember going home to my wife and saying I had met a future president.
When Michelle talks about his charisma, intensity, and brilliance, I can honestly tell you in the 50 minute lecture and 5-8 minute conversation, I was absolutely convinced he would be president someday. I do not think I have ever me Michelle, but I know I know people that have known them both prior to their fame.
What is best about the book is the humility and the real openness about her own struggles. The section on the struggles of being a working mom, who was married to a man that was frequently away from home are not only helpfully introspective, but also honest in a way that I do not think many memoirs are.
There is a very similar section about her struggles to find her calling and purpose that would make me want to recommend the book to many young people that feel like they need to have everything together at a young age. That section is also a helpful look at the constraints that bind someone with lots of school loans and pressure to carry on with a job that pays well, not just because it pays well, but because you really do need the money.
I do not remember where I saw it, but on twitter the other day, someone said something about having grown up Black and poor and going to a elite school (cannot remember if it was college or high school or it it was even said). The person said that she (I think it was a she) saw politics and history taught as as it were a game. Michelle's comments about the original campaign and in particular about the negative press that was targeted at her and the campaign's response that ‘this is just politics' reminded me of that tweet.
I have heard similar things a couple times since I connected this in my head. Politics matters because people matter. That does not mean that partisanship and politics are the same thing. But politics presented as a game does matter and it is damaging. Politics are not a game.
I do not think that Michelle Obama will run for future office (she explicitly says she will not in the book), but I do think she will likely take up some causes that will matter. She is not shaped in the same way that Barak Obama is; but she is a brilliant, successful woman in her own right apart from Barak and I look forward to the role that she will continue to play in our national life.
I checked the audiobook out of the library. Michelle Obama narrates and does it well. The emotion and humor and warmth of the book carry through really well in audio. I do want to pick up a copy of the print sometime in the future and re-read it.
Wow. what a journey !
I Spent almost one month reading this book , i read it as a physical book , e-book and listened to it on audiobook whenever i had the chance .
Becoming , Is the life story of Michelle Obama , a girl from the South Side of Chicago , a Harvard Law School graduate and the former First lady of the united states of America .
Becoming , is divided into three sections that represent Michelle's life ; Becoming me , Becoming Us and Becoming more , each section tells part of her life story , starting with her childhood and ending with her leaving the White house with her family .
Becoming is an autobiography , which is a genre i rarely reach for , for some reason i find reading about other people's lives kinda boring , you'd have to be Really something in order to make me read what you're gonna say about your self , and Yes This Lady was something !
I Absolutely loved everything i read in this book , Her childhood , family, relationship with Barack , Her dreams and hopes and work , her motherhood experience and her Perfection in absolutely anything she does.
This book is Recommended . totally recommended. !
One of the best books ever written. Also, the audiobook is phenomenal. Told without harshness or ugliness but still completely honest and to the point. Sharing vulnerable moments and yet still keeping a privacy. I feel completely uplifted by her once again, as I did when she was still FLOTUS.
It was long but worth it. Many hours to listen and read but, again, worth it.
I firmly believe she has left a legacy as strong as her husband's.
4.75 I absolutely loved the audiobook and hearing her share her story with her own voice. I did feel like some parts dragged a bit and could have been left out. I am glad I picked up the audiobook because there were a lot of points I knew I would have just skimmed if I was reading it physically.