From the Bookshelf of Crazy Challenge Connection…

Becoming

Michelle Obama

Discussion: Announcements

Discussion leader: Gina

Why we're reading this: Intimate look into Michelle’s entire life. Highly recommend Audible version as a companion b/c Michelle n…more
[close] Intimate look into Michelle’s entire life. Highly recommend Audible version as a companion b/c Michelle narrates her own story, and that made me feel even “closer” to her and her family. Not overly political. Just about her life & learning how to live w/a politician/President & how it affected all of their lives both good and bad.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 7 topics — 2,160 comments total

Announcements

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* CCC Bulletin board
By Barb , Moderator · 1494 posts · 811 views

last updated 19 hours, 46 min ago

* Master challenge list updated
By Barb , Moderator · 122 posts · 770 views

last updated Aug 17, 2025 06:04PM

showing 10 of 154 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Nov 16, 2018 Anne ✨ Finds Joy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: biography-memoir, favorite-audio, favorite-nonfic

This was amazing to listen to! I found it fascinating to hear Michelle Obama's point of view on the many things that happened during her and Barack's 8 years in the White House. She's really honest in sharing all her feelings an experiences, and she has such insightful perspective as a first lady, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a working woman, a black woman.

The audio is a lengthy one at 19 hours, but Michelle Obama gives you a far deeper story going all the way back to her childhood, schooling, ...more

58 likes · Like · see review

Aug 06, 2019 Steven rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2019, non-fiction

The Obama were a class act, and this book not only served as an interesting glimpse into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama, but also as a reminder of what a presidency and country can be when hope, optimism, empathy, love, generosity, tolerance, togetherness, and respect reign over bigotry, cronyism, greed, corruption, and petulance.

Here's to hoping we can one day find our way back to that. ...more

21 likes · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2019 Kate rated it it was amazing

4.5/5

This book was written well, which made it easy to read. I really enjoyed reading about the Obama’s dating time, as well and Michelle Obama’s experience in the White House and the challenges of raising kids in the White House.

9 likes · Like · see review

Dec 09, 2018 Chaitra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: politics, non-fiction, memoir

I usually make it a rule not to read memoirs of people I like and admire. As a general rule of thumb, this serves me well - I didn’t enjoy Hillary Clinton’s book after Bill’s cheating scandal, which I read pre-GR, and I do like the lady; I couldn’t even finish 10% of Joe Biden’s book, and I like him too; for example. And if I don’t like a person and don’t like their book, there’s not much I’ve lost anyway. But I made an exception for Michelle Obama. How could I not, I’m too huge a fan.

And this b ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 31, 2018 Kristin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-audible, audible, 2018-books, memoir, 5000-books

I have already decided whatever I put here will not be able to do this powerful book justice. For it was powerful to me. Not just what I learned from Michelle Obama's life, but the unexpected ways I found myself able to relate to her life. I am not African-American, nor did I grow up in a large city, nor am I in the public eye in any way. But I discovered the ways I could connect myself to her. To me this is what makes a great memoir: that the reader can find ways to relate to the author by how I have already decided whatever I put here will not be able to do this powerful book justice. For it was powerful to me. Not just what I learned from Michelle Obama's life, but the unexpected ways I found myself able to relate to her life. I am not African-American, nor did I grow up in a large city, nor am I in the public eye in any way. But I discovered the ways I could connect myself to her. To me this is what makes a great memoir: that the reader can find ways to relate to the author by how that author uses their voice to speak to all people.

Near the beginning of the book I found myself smiling at a story of Michelle's piano recital. I too had a story from my first piano recital that has stayed with me all this time. I loved the messages Michelle's parents gave her: that she could achieve anything she wanted, that she was given the message of working hard to achieve her goals, and most importantly the message that education would open the gates to endless opportunities in her life. These were the same messages my parents gave me and my siblings. I also heard her message about how she struggled to relate to a husband with a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants attitude, not planning ahead but knowing all would turn out right in the end. I also am a planner and live with a husband who thinks spur-of-the-moment.

I enjoyed her candid thoughts on life in the goldfish home of the White House. Not being able to go outside when you want, not being able to open a window to let in fresh air, not being able to go with your daughter to visit colleges, feeling like the most unimportant parts of your life are the ones most scrutinized. All these small thoughts add up to a life in a place I have visited, but am glad I never had to live in or to conform to its stifling rules.

Lastly, if you are contemplating reading this book, I strongly recommend listening to the book. Since Michelle Obama narrates her own story, I felt like I had invited her into my home, my life. Her voice is clear, precise, and intense. Michelle Obama is a gifted writer. I look forward to seeing what else she accomplishes in her impactful life. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 27, 2020 BookishStitcher rated it it was amazing

Words can't express what I'm feeling right now. Even if I tried it would be so long and rambling. The audiobook is amazing and so is her message of love, kindness, and hope. I cried a bunch while listening to this. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 02, 2019 Jackie rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-books, getting-to-know-them, 400-to-500, where-s-your-card, goodreads-choice-2019, biography-autobio-memoirs, reality-check, u2019-finished, paper-books, north-america

Learned some interesting things about both of the Obamas.

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 22, 2021 Cathie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: autobiography, bound-together-botm, above-the-norm-very-good, politics, readers-tops, 2018-releases, 2021-reads, 2021-favs

It was a 4 star read for me up until the final 20 pages or so; either way it is a very good autobiography and a glimpse into a world very few of us ever have a chance of experiencing.

2 likes · Like · see review