Name: Jessica Koch's review of Becoming by Michelle Obama
Item: Becoming
Rating: 3
Author: Jessica Koch

Michelle Obama

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.

Becoming

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.

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.

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?

Ian Brakspear

Now in paperback--the intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States, featuring a new introduction by Michelle Obama, a letter from the author to her younger self, and a book club guide with 20 discussion questions and a 5-question Q&A nbsp; #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 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.

Kirsten Dowie

Jessica Koch

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.

Amena Elkayal

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.

I thought that this book was good when I read it 

Lexy 

appreciated michelle taking the time to write this, the famous elite are people too. especially enjoyed reading about her struggles with sustaining the family dynamics and her push and pull between the commonly high-paying, high-prestige career and commonly lesser paying, more fulfilling jobs

Xin Ma

Amanda Faith

i'd have probably enjoyed this more had i been able to relate to at least some of the sentiments, which i believe i will be able to do only with time.

An incredible memoir. Pretty remarkable learning about all Michelle Obama has accomplished. She was incredibly vulnerable and open about her entire life, struggles, opinions on her husband being in politics, etc. Politics aside I think you can learn so much from her as she is a true icon and great role model for young ladies. Insane how much she’s accomplished with hard-work and drive. Makes me feel really guilty for ever judging her without knowing her entire story 

Jessica Koch &
Becoming by Michelle Obama

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Jessica Koch &Becoming by Michelle Obama

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Jessica Koch &
Becoming by Michelle Obama