Book Review: “Becoming”

Becoming

Michelle Obama

Hardcover, 426 pages

Publication Date: November 13, 2018

Publisher: Crown

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir

When I put this book on hold at the library last fall, I was informed, much to my dismay, that there were more than 200 people in line to check it out before me. Rather than go out and buy it, I decided to bide my time and wait.

Fast forward to this February, and I finally got to check out “Becoming.” I was especially curious to read the story of Michelle Obama’s life. Barack Obama was first elected president when I was nine years old, making him the first president I can really remember knowing about. I remember seeing Michelle appear over the years on kids’ channels on TV to promote exercise or healthy eating. Barack was president until I went to college, and when Michelle’s book started gathering hype last summer, I knew it was a book I wanted to read.

I usually do not make a habit of reading political books, and I was mistaken in thinking “Becoming” would be a political book. Michelle uses her memoir as just that. She tells the story of her life from growing up in Chicago in the 70s and 80s to attending law school, meeting Barack, becoming the first African American first lady of the United States and then stepping into a life outside of the Oval Office.

I wish everyone would read this book. I was not expecting Michelle’s story to be so well-written and full of character. I felt like I got to know who she is as a person, with both good and bad things included. She presents her life in an authentic, interesting way which had me tearing through dozens of pages a day.

She reveals private details about her life the public did not know beforehand, like a miscarriage before Malia and Sasha were born and how she never wanted Barack to go into politics, let alone try for the presidency.

Throughout it all, I think my favorite part of “Becoming” was Michelle herself. Her personality shone through in the writing and the stories, and I found it refreshing to read about a woman who is so confident and committed to the things and people she believes in.

Not to say the other memoirs from women I have read were lesser, but “Becoming” was the first time I read about a woman who was wholly dedicated to speaking her mind and taking control of her own life in such a complete way.

I have a newfound respect for Michelle and Barack, and for all of the things they were able to accomplish in the presidency and outside of it. Their courage, sacrifice and persistence to fight for the America they wanted to see is astounding.

I finished “Becoming” with a sole thought: I really, really want Michelle Obama to be my friend.

Paige Holmes is a junior journalism major from Topeka, KS. Reading is her favorite thing to do because it teaches one how to think, imagine and live. Paige believes there is no better way to learn something or be entertained than by reading a book. Her favorite genre of books is fantasy/thriller and her favorite book is ‘Opening Moves’ by Steven James.

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