Name: Becoming
Rating: 4.532290615539859 (991 reviews)
ISBN: 9780525633754

Michelle Obama

Becoming

Kirsten Dowie

Ian Brakspear

sooooooo now i have the name of the man who got rid of our tasty choco and strawb milk while i was in elementary school… watch ur back Sam. Never forgave michelle for that

Lauren R

One evening Sam and I spent a couple of hours talking in my kitchen, … I might use my role as First Lady to try to address some of these issues. One idea bloomed into another. What if we grew vegetable at the White House and helped advocate food? What if we then used that as a cornerstone for something bigger, a whole children's health initiative that might help parents avoid some of tie pitfalls I'd experienced?

Bethany Jenkins

Even if we didn't know the context, we were instructed to remember that context existed. Everyone on earth, they'd tell us, was carrying around an unseen history, and that alone deserved some tolerance.

Marek Hnatiak

(…) and finally, Barack, who always promised me an interesting journey.

Now I think it's one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child - What do you want to be when you grow up? As if growing up is finite. As if at some point you become something and that's the end.

The air smelled like spring. I sat on the steps of our veranda, feeling the warmth of the day's sun still caught in the slate beneath my feet. A dog started barking somewhere in the distance, and my own dogs paused to listen, seeming momentarily confused.

Hearing them, I realized that they weren't at all smarter than the rest of us. They were simply emboldened, floating on an ancient tide of superiority, buoyed by the fact that history had never told them anything different.

Here’s a memory, which like most memories is imperfect and subjective-collected long ago like a beach pebble and slipped into the pocket of my mind. 

We walked to a nearby bar in the same manner we always seemed to walk, with me a step forward and him a step back. Barack was an ambler. He moved with a loose-jointed Hawaiian casualness, never given to hurry, even and especially when instructed to hurry. I, on the other hand, power walked even during my leisure hours and had a hard time decelerating. But I remember how that night I counseled myself to slow down, just a little - just enough so that I could hear what he was saying, because it was beginning to dawn on me that I cared about hearing everything he said.

In the presence of his certainty, his notion that he could make some sort of difference in the world, I couldn't help but feel a little bit lost by comparison. His sense of purpose seemed like an unwitting challenge to my own.

In Chicago, we'd made the mistake of putting all our hopes for reform on the shoulders of one person without building the political apparatus to support his vision.

I was thirty-two years old now and starting to think more about what kind of load I wanted to carry. On our date nights at Zinfandel, Barack and I often continued a conversation we'd been having in one form or another for years - about impact, about how and where each one of us could make a difference, how best to apportion our time and energy.

We had our outward lives, but now there was something inward happening, a baby growing, a tiny girl. (Because Barack's a fact guy and I'm a planner, finding out her gender was obligatory.)

(…) "being president doesn't change who you are; it reveals who you are."

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, she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private. A deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations.

Kinanti Desyanandini

Beautifully written and narrated, it was hard to not love the Obamas more after reading this book. Michelle's story was incredibly engaging; her focus on helping other minorities gain more opportunities and continue to build resilience and faith in themselves made for some touching moments. A lovely read.

An intimate memoir by the former First Lady chronicles the experiences that have shaped her remarkable life, from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago through her setbacks and achievements in the White House.

mi historia

Jennifer

If I didn’t already love Michelle Obama, this made me love her even more. I would love to meet her one day! She’s an engaging, fantastic writer and I loved every moment reading this. It was hard to put down. 

Apurva Shah

The first half of the book was wonderful, and I enjoyed many of the stories that connected with me, especially regarding having parents that would do anything for you so that you can have a better life than they had. <br /><br />The second half of the book was less enjoyable because of how the presidency seemed to consume Michelle Obama's life. However, you cannot blame her. When you read, you understand the struggle and the demand that lifestyle takes out on you and feel very empathetic towards it.<br /><br />Overall, a great book with lots of material about achieving what you set out to be and developing throughout life.

“… bersama, di apartemen kami yang sesak, Ayah dan Ibu mengajariku melihat nilai-nilai dalam setiap kisah kehidupan kami … bahkan saat kisah itu tidak indah atau sempurna ….” Dunia Michelle kecil adalah sebuah apartemen sempit di South Side, Chicago, tempat dia dan saudaranya, Craig, dibesarkan dan dididik untuk menjadi pemberani dan tidak takut bicara. Namun kemudian, kehidupan membawanya jauh melangkah, mulai dari Universitas Princeton—tempat dia belajar merasakan menjadi satu-satunya perempuan kulit hitam di sebuah ruangan—hingga ke kantor pengacara tempat dia bekerja dan bertemu Barack Obama, yang kemudian menjadi suaminya. Pertemuan yang mengubah semua rencana hidupnya. Dalam buku ini, untuk pertama kalinya, Michelle Obama menggambarkan tahun-tahun pertama pernikahannya, ketika dia berjuang menyeimbangkan pekerjaan dan keluarganya dengan karier politik suaminya yang bergerak cepat. Dia juga mengungkap drama pencalonan suaminya sebagai presiden hingga perannya sebagai tokoh yang populer, sekaligus sasaran kritik. Dengan narasi yang anggun, penuh humor, dan keterusterangan, Michelle menuturkan kisah di balik layar kehidupannya selama delapan tahun di Gedung Putih yang membuatnya tak hanya dikenal, tetapi juga semakin mengenal negaranya. Melalui Becoming, sebuah memoar yang jujur dan berani, Michelle Obama menggugah kita untuk bertanya: Who are we and who do we want to become? [Mizan, Noura Books, Nourabooks, Kisah, Klasik, Novel, Memoar, Biografi, Terjemahan, Indonesia]

Balancing. Refreshing and uplifting story of something extraordinary that happened in a world where anything is possible. Thank you. 

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 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.

Great book! Being able to see and understand where Michelle came from and every little thing she had been through to get to where she got. And of course, I was eager for the White House parts and its curiosities!

Denis Crepaldi

wow wow wow. i love this woman! wish we had a little more people like her in politics. she is so inspirational. great book!!! 🇺🇸

Sadie Hoffman

Sajiya Chaudhary

This was by far the most inspiring and honestly written memoir that I've read. It talks about the struggles and sacrifices every individual who is a minority in the country goes through. One of a kind narration of the life inside White House and becoming the First Lady. 

Best Read of 2019 for me.

Julie Twist

Fascinating insight into behind the scenes in the White House, and really enjoyed Michelle's account of her early years. Highly recommended.

Erin G.

Listened to the audio, loved hearing such personal stories in her own voice.

Emily Burns

I really loved this book, and connected with so much of it very deeply. There was a depth in the first three quarters of it - until the 2008 election - that I have not seen in many memoirs of this genre. The last quarter of the book was maybe edited down to a more watery version for obvious reasons but also, the proximity of the experience has maybe not been completely processed by the author. I am hopeful that there may be a follow up in future that tells the story of what is happening now - the process of moving on from the WH and into a different kind of life, imbued with the same vibrant writing and reflection found in first three quarters of this one. Michelle Obama has an amazing voice, and I loved spending so much time with her wise words.

Andrea Morales

adóptame Michelle por favor I am begging you...
de hoy en adelante when in doubt me preguntaré, what would miss Michelle Obama do??

An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir; 15 million copies sold worldwide THE NO. 1 BESTSELLER BRITISH BOOK AWARDS, NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR THE SUNDAY TIMES, MEMOIR OF THE YEAR BOOKS OF THE YEAR: THE TIMES, OBSERVER, GUARDIAN, EVENING STANDARD _______________________________ 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. She dramatically changed the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and stood 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. _______________________________ 'A rich, entertaining and candid memoir. And overall Obama's a fun person to sit alongside as she tells you the story of her life . . . it is as beautifully written as any piece of fiction' i 'A genuine page-turner, full of intimacies and reflections' Evening Standard 'Offers new insights into her upbringing on the south side of Chicago and the highs and lows of life with Barack Obama . . . a refreshing level of honesty about what politics really did to her' Guardian 'An inspirational memoir that also rings true' Daily Telegraph

The Sunday Times Number One Bestseller

Elisavet Rozaki 

Gigi V

I was extremely moved by her writing and her honesty. I saw the passion and dedication the roles thrown at her and her family.

Hannah Yoon

As I read the book, I felt like I was becoming friends with Michelle Obama. I appreciated her ability to share bits of history in her stories. She shared her stories with grace and intellect.

Ana Luiza

O que dizer de Michelle Obama? Que orgulho ser da mesma geração dessa mulher tão inspiradora. Sua história é incrível e de muita luta. O jeito que escreve o livro foi impecável e ouvir o audiobook, com a voz da própria deusa, deixou a experiência ainda melhor e me fez sentir muito próxima dela. Espero que muitas meninas tenham sido e sejam inspiradas por Michelle para conquistar cada vez mais coisas em suas vidas, inclusive eu. :)

gente a história dela com o barack eh mt fofa meu Deus!

Megan Daigle

I listened to the audio book of Becoming by Michelle Obama. What a wonderful peek into her side of the story. Listening to her voice read her story transported me to sitting on the couch with a wise, older friend. I told anyone who asked it felt as though we were sitting in the couch, each with our chosen warm beverage, and she was simply sharing herself with me. Her words are thought provoking, comforting, emboldening. I would encourage all people to take the time and read or listen to her words. This is her story, which intersects with the back story of two presidential terms as the FLOTUS, and it is one worth taking in. Grateful she would take time to write her autobiography and share it with the world.

Mel 

Where can I meet Michelle Obama?
Incredibly inspiring and motivating.

hileahrious

Honestly... I’m glad I read this during another presidential election, because it reminded me that our country isn’t a shithole. It’s filled with good people who actually want to make a difference and it’s our job to vote them in.

That being said lol, this was a really well-written memoir.

Farah Aisha Shabrina

I know I’m late into the game. Having watched the documentary on Netflix beforehand only gravitated me more towards the longing of reading the book for so long.

She is a great storyteller. I really enjoy the narrative as the plot runs naturally. It is as if I joined first-hand the process of her becoming herself. She didn’t just become the first African-American First Lady, she was born to be the First Lady long before she became one. All her life, she had prepared herself for the role she unknowingly would have yet to fulfill. From her being vulnerable on basic life choices —as a woman— on whether to be a hat-tossing, independent-career woman or to feel a bland normalcy of being a wife, readers could tell that she is a woman of stance.

Lizelle G

In parts, when you pay close attention, you can read through the lines and find her anger — of course, she never had the opportunity to seem angry. In writing this book, Michelle Obama managed to recount her story with a smile, even though her country does not deserve it.

Elizabeth Wood

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I was young when Barack Obama was elected and I didn’t know very much about their family until reading this book. It was interesting to get a peek into the White House and their lives before. I also connected with Michelle’s struggles of wanting to be a mom but also wanting to achieve her own goals as well as being in the shadow of her husbands’s career.

Lamia Hajani

5 stars

What can I say about Becoming that others already haven't? It's inspiring, and it really sparks something in you when you read it. Michelle Obama is, unsurprisingly, a fantastic writer who has lived one hundred lives just in her one life. This book made me laugh and it made me cry and it inspired me to become. Which is probably what her goal was. In other words, Michelle Obama set out to win hearts and minds, and she really does do a great job of it with Becoming.

I'd recommend this to literally anyone. A stranger in the street. Read it if you have the chance.

Alix Chien

She is quite well-spoken and an inspiring figure, I could resonate with some of the reflections and also being grateful for what I've received in my life.

Yeung Man Lung

A really inspiring book. It really makes me think that greatness come from excelling in normal minor things.

Becoming

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