An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WATCH THE EMMY-NOMINATED NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER • ONE OF ESSENCE’S 50 MOST IMPACTFUL BLACK BOOKS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most … 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.
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Michelle tells the story of her life! It is fascinating!
Through the first part of this story, I stopped reading, set it aside for other things. And then somewhere along the way, I was hooked. Michelle Obama’s passion for living, her commitment to children and women and her belief in humanity overwhelmed me. I could hardly read the last hundred pages for the tears in my eyes and the connection I felt to her truths. Thank you for sharing your life. Ac a memoirist I know how hard it is to put yourself out there to be judged. But there’s a Higher Purpose that propels the work. And that makes it all the more beautiful.
I wasn’t sure what to expect but I loved it! I was sad when I finished it because I so enjoyed reading a little every night for more than a week. It’s like Michelle Obama is talking to me – so down to earth and friendly. Great book!
Audio book is best
Not brilliant writing but an amazing look into the lives and characters of this first family. Listened to this one on audiobook, and it was an added bonus hearing Michelle Obama’s own voice telling her story.
I listed to the author doing the audio-book and came away feeling like we could be old friends. She invited me into her world and gave me a glimpse into the most powerful house in the world. Fascinating story of Michelle’s life both before and during her husband’s presidency. I was transfixed by the book and loved it!
Mrs. Obama is no-holds-barred, genuine, and powerful in her life’s telling. Becoming is a glimpse into the inner life of one of the most interesting people of our age–a woman who lived at the heart of our politics but never succumbed to its expectations. Her upbringing, marriage, Mr. Obama’s campaigns, and coping with the curious life of the White House are all told in vivid detail. In the end, it is a document for history–one that tells of one revolution and how things were on the cusp of another.
It an inspiring book and motivates oneself to be independent and succeed first alone first before becoming a wife to someone. It an absorbing words carefully packed to take the reader to the furthest places mentally and bring her back to life to thirst for more and to do more
Michelle Obama is the bomb
I loved every minute of this beautiful book She is my idol second only to RBG. Her ideals are pure and she gets things done. I really can’t say anymore about it. Just read it you will not be sorry
Excellent read! Loved the transparency of Michelle Obama.
There is nothing I could possibly write in this review that hasn’t already been said. I read and also got to listen to the audio book with Mrs. Obama narrating her story. It is every bit as inspiring as she has been. There are moments when I laughed aloud and other moments where I was brought to tears. I hold this woman in an even higher regard and I am glad my daughter gets to witness such a public person. She is very relatable beyond her blackness. I would highly recommend.
Wow. I laughed, I cried, I filled myself with optimism while reading this book. Michelle Obama’s autobiography is an exceptional read. I loved reading about her childhood and gaining insight into a part of life I could never experience. From being a young girl living in her aunt’s upstairs apartment to dealing with miscarriage and coming back from that, and to meeting the man of her dreams who would become the first African American president of the United States, this will be one of my favorite reads. I can’t recommend this enough.
Such an admirable humble woman. Her candor and humor were refreshing during this current period in the history of our country.
My Spoiler Free Review
My tags for this autobiography:
Informative / Easy-to-read / listen to (Superb narrating delivery) / Inspirational / Page-turner / Realistic
Format Read: Unabridged Audiobook courtesy of LAPL audiobook loan
Narrated by: Michelle Obama
Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 11-13-18
Publisher: Random House Audio
Ratings: Story, Performance & Overall – 5 stars!
I always feel a little odd rating an autobiography. If you’re fascinated by or at all curious about our former first lady, read this book! She sounded very natural telling her story in her own voice which is not always the case when an author narrates their own book.
I anticipated the release of this book with great eagerness, and I enjoyed every page. It is a very personal memoir, beautifully written with warmth, candor, humor, and a great deal of love. It’s not a blow-by-blow account of Michelle’s life in the White House, nor is it really very political; she doesn’t even discuss Donald Trump until the last few pages. Michelle describes her close-knit family and extended family, her Chicago roots, her education, her friends and mentors, the causes she truly cares about and to which she has devoted her time and energy (some of which have not received the attention they deserve), and, most importantly, her marriage and parenthood. It’s remarkable how much she has accomplished (and will undoubtedly continue to accomplish). She really gives the reader a window into her personality, character, and drive, and she doesn’t gloss over the painful parts. I don’t think Michelle Obama has a phony bone in her body.
I loved listening to Michelle’s story. In her own voice. She is warm and passionate and completely inspirational. I haven’t read a memoir I enjoyed as much in quite a while. This one is well worth a listen.
Michelle Obama’s Memoir was wonderful. I really related to her musings of being a working mom. Her insights about human nature and the political craziness of Washington DC were engaging and thoughtful. I thoroughly enjoyed this read!
I loved Michelle Obama when she was our first lady, and love her even more after listening to this fantastic memoir! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was saddened to compare the Obama administration to our current administration. Great, ethical, honest people! I could relate to Michelle Obama, as her loving family and experiences growing up are similar to mine. Great memoir!
The First Lady sure helped women come up in the world—Thank you! Her belief in herself, her tenacity, her strength, will inspire anyone who is looking to become a New and Better version of themselves.
Gloria Squitiro: A first lady of Kanas City and author of May Cause Drowsiness and Blurred Vision: The Side Effects of Bravery—YOU, Too! can OVERCOME ANXIETY and live a bigger more carefree life—Become a New and Better You!
#YayWomenWriters