by Noella Noelophile®
Preface this by saying, I don’t usually review nonfiction.
And the book I’m about to recommend isn’t new, and may take awhile to become available at the library. Particularly if you’re requesting it in e-book format.
But with that said, if you haven’t yet had the chance to read Michelle Obama’s Becoming, it’s more than worth the wait.
Naturally, it’s going to be good. A Harvard-educated former First Lady author with a passion for education? There’s no way her biography would not have been compelling.
But I was unprepared for the way Michelle seamlessly weaves life lessons into her story. Matter-of-factly, she shares the details of her growing-up journey, as Michelle Robinson, from the South Side of Chicago. And in doing so, she introduces us to an unforgettable cast of characters.
Early influences
(Royalty-free image by David Mark from Pixabay.)
We meet Michelle’s loving, yet exacting, mother. My favorite quote of hers is something both Michelle and her brother hear repeatedly during their growing-up years: “I’m not raising babies. I’m raising adults.”
Consequently, both Michelle and her brother learn the power of responsibility, early in life. Both set forth with confidence, to achieve their goals.
And there’s Robbie. Michelle’s demanding and exacting great-aunt is also her piano teacher. Again Michelle doesn’t sugarcoat her differences of opinion with strong-willed Robbie. But in a recital story she shares (which I won’t ruin here), we see Robbie’s empathy and warmth.
A third memorable character is Suzanne, whom Michelle affectionately nicknames “Screwzy”. Michelle’s friend and college roommate, her fun-centered approach to life stands out in stark contrast with Michelle’s taking-care-of-business mindset. But her outlook ultimately gives Michelle a new perspective.
Role models shine through Becoming, illustrating the power of love, family and friendship. Michelle’s South Side experiences are rooted in a community that expects her to succeed and consistently sends the message that that success is possible.
What I especially liked, though, was Michelle’s honest assessment of her professional journey.
Changing course
(Royalty-free image by Jörg Möller from Pixabay.)
I’d always thought of her as a lawyer. However, as she shares in Becoming, after graduation she finds herself on the fast track towards becoming a partner at a well-known law firm…
…and doesn’t like it.
What does a professional woman do when her gifts and talents are leading her to a destination at which she no longer wants to arrive? Michelle’s journey to finding more fulfilling work is both a fascinating read and a guide for anyone who may find themselves in that situation.
And, of course…
And then, there’s the love story which starts with a certain law intern–whom Michelle at first considers “just a friend”. She even tries to engineer a date between Barack Obama and one of her female colleagues!
Again, I won’t ruin the story. Nor the details of their courtship, the couple’s life together and, ultimately, the campaigns and their results.
Though I will tell you that, at one point in the book, Michelle expresses her reluctance for her husband to become a politician, stating, “Politics is no place for good people.”
I won’t even spoil this by telling you some of the “fun facts” about living in the White House and working in the capacity of First Lady.
Suffice it to say, Michelle Obama’s Becoming is a book I’ll want to read again—and one I’d give to any of the professional women on my Christmas gift list.