The memoir of the former first lady starts at her roots and describes how she found her voice, her role as a mother and of course her time in the white house. Find our reviews below and take a look out our latest Zoella Book Club pick here.
Zoe
Not knowing much about Michelle Obama or the Obama’s in general, it was really insightful learning so much about their background and how they came to be POTUS and FLOTUS and the dynamic of them as a couple. Michelle writes beautifully (kind of hoping she will move into fiction as I can imagine her being so descriptive and her storytelling comes so naturally to her). I’m not hugely into/don’t know too much about American politics so there were definitely points during the book where I felt I had to push myself a little more but overall found it to be really interesting. Michelle is an incredible woman, with a humble background, oodles of knowledge, intelligence and great morals. I finished the book feeling inspired and empowered!
Rating – 3.5/5
Would you read it again? No
Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
Maddie
I absolutely loved this book. I had no idea about Michelle’s life and career before reading this book but wow, what a formidable woman she is. She talks a lot about how “good” people don’t really fit in in politics and that she’s never really wanted to be involved in it. Through her desire to help the less fortunate, children and especially young girls around the world she managed to make politics work for her and did a lot of good during her time as First Lady. I found it all so fascinating, we don’t get taught an awful lot about US politics in the UK so it was so interesting to learn about the journey they went on and their experiences in the White House. They certainly left an important stamp on history and we can only hope that they continue to inspire more good people to enter politics.
Rating – 5/5
Would you read it again? Yes
Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
Carrie
I’ve always found Michelle Obama to be a true inspiration and so getting an insight into her life and mind was fascinating. It’s an in-depth memoir covering so many important topics, the life experiences that shaped who she is, and an insightful look into the real person behind the well known First Lady. It’s personal, political and powerful and I think would appeal to a wide range of readers for this reason.
Rating – 4.5/5
Would you read it again? Yes
Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
Lauren
I’d heard a lot of good things about this book (the hype was real!) and was excited to dive in. It definitely takes more of a career/politics angle, and I was hoping for more about her early life and relationship with Barack outside of the presidency, but her writing is SPECTACULAR and really gave me more of a rounded knowledge of her time as First Lady and the impact it’s had on her and her family’s life.
Rating – 4/5
Would you read it again? No
Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
Amy
I absolutely ADORED Becoming by Michelle Obama. Right from the get go, I was drawn in to her life story of growing up in South Side Chicago. I was hugely impressed by how she managed to maintain her own identity and strong sense of self even in the White House – and I think I learned a lot from her courage and tenacity. It also offered a fascinating window into life behind the scenes of the Presidency. Thoroughly recommend – and can’t wait to see what Michelle does next. She is an inspiration.
Rating – 5/5
Would absolutely recommend
Would read specific passages again
Danielle
Michelle Obama is an absolutely wonderful writer and her story is fascinating! I always assumed being the wife of a politician would be somewhat gruelling, but the schedule seems never-ending and after entering the Whitehouse your private life disintegrates, which is something so few of us will ever go through. If you have any interest in the Obamas or American politics, in general, this is such a must-read!
Rating – 4.5/5
Would you read it again? No
Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes
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