Becoming in G.N.A. Publishing░N░e░w░ ░A░u░t░h░o░r░s░

Mar 30, 2020 Hippopotamus rated it really liked it

Shelves: biography-non-fiction, 4-stars

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Mar 07, 2019 Sandra Jeffs rated it it was amazing

Amazing. I was thrilled to read this book and it didn't disappoint. Michelle writes from a place of authenticity and grace. She stays positive while still speaking the truth. I learned, laughed and cried. I highly recommend this to anyone who is exploring life and their purpose. It was inspiring and I related to so much of her struggle. ...more

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Apr 29, 2019 Bryce Van Vleet rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, 5-stars, celeb-memoir, memoir, coming-of-age, audiobooks, 2016-election, historical-non-fiction

One of them then gave me a candid look. "It's nice that you're here and all," he said with a shrug, but what are you actually gonna do about all of this?" To them, I represented Washington D.C. as much as I did the South Side. And when it came to Washington, I felt I owed them the truth. "Honestly," I began. "I know you're dealing with a lot here, but no one's going to save you anytime soon. Most people in Washington aren't even trying. A lot of them don't even know you exist." I explained to t One of them then gave me a candid look. "It's nice that you're here and all," he said with a shrug, but what are you actually gonna do about all of this?" To them, I represented Washington D.C. as much as I did the South Side. And when it came to Washington, I felt I owed them the truth. "Honestly," I began. "I know you're dealing with a lot here, but no one's going to save you anytime soon. Most people in Washington aren't even trying. A lot of them don't even know you exist." I explained to those students that progress is slow, that they couldn't afford to simply sit and wait for change to come.

I have to begin with an apology to my friend Tara who recommended this to me. As I saw it climb the bestseller list, I was happy for Mrs. Obama, and happier still to leave her to it. I've tried reading The Opposite of Woe: My Life in Beer and Politics, Hard Choices, and other books by politicians I've admired or otherwise been interested in. I can never do it. I love both politics and memoirs, but somehow the combination has never worked for me. So, I wasn't expecting much when I picked this up.

When I came back for a brief visit home, sitting in Tara's kitchen, I did apologize for doubting her, but I also offered up a bold provocation "I think," I said, "even Obama-haters would love this," and she agreed, having almost recommended it to her conservative sister-in-law. Having reached the end, I'd like to qualify that statement I gave. I believe opponents of Obama can enjoy most of this book. The frustration with government, a dislike of certain political aspects, and a craving for hard work ethic are things all of us can agree with.

The portions of her book that are controversial, the bits about the Obama administration, offer readers a fascinating portrait of life inside the White House, at a time of great cultural significance. 8 years never seems like a long time – I vividly remember sitting in Mrs. Phillip’s 6th grade math classroom during my lunch hour, watching the guy my parents didn’t support get sworn into office. It was a time when politicians didn’t use social media, the iPhone was just introduced, and the horrific Newtown shooting was years away. Seeing how these things affected, not just the nation, but the White House was fascinating, as was the more typical details of Presidential motorcades, being prevented from going out on your own patio to read, and how much the East Wing does for the country without technically existing.

The majority of Obama’s book, however, covers her life before the White House, the neighborhood she grew up in and her days as a marketing lawyer and community leader. Most surprising was her absolute disgust for politics, and her unwillingness to even get involved. This, the love story between two hardworking, big-dreaming, impoverished Chicago lawyers was beautiful.

Obama and her team of writers have put together a stunning collection of stories from presidential and South Side Chicagoan life. Her story, of growing up in the same room as her brother, living in her aunt’s house, to becoming a partner-track lawyer, to the first Black First Lady of the United States is the American dream. Whether you hate or love what the Obama administration did in this country, Becoming is far more than a tired political drama. It’s a reminder that America is a nation built of strong-willed, hardworking people. It’s a nation of dreamers and walking nightmares. This is a book about iconic queens, photogenic dogs, and split-level high rises. Becoming is not just a good memoir; it’s a reminder to love the places we’ve come from, and never stop believing that the arc of history is bent towards justice.

Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: A book that makes you nostalgic

Note: This book made me nostalgic both because I’m a triggered liberal snowflake who loved Obama, and also because I learned so much about their family that I wish I had known to appreciate the work they – and all civil servants – do behind closed doors. ...more

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Feb 24, 2019 طارق طه rated it really liked it

Shelves: my-library, 2019

Michelle in Becoming gave us a an American story of family, love and fame. From her humble home in south Chicago all the way to the White House and becoming the first lady of the United States. What truly stands out is her commitment to her values. She clearly knew what she stood for. She worked hard to present and protect, integrity, family values, honesty and her African American hertiage.
Its a well written book with emotional moments, where you feel Michelle still didn’t yet believe that She ...more

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