Becoming by Michelle Obama

Wow! So enjoyed this well-written memoir by an awesome lady. In telling her story from childhood through the end of her eight years in the White House, Michelle Obama laces the facts of her life with heartfelt commentary about her experiences, concerns, fears, and optimism. She details her impressive accomplishments always within the context of the many people who supported her, believed in her, and assisted her along the way. Endlessly empathetic, she addresses the hardships that have marginalized people in our racist, unjust society but also energetically encourages and advocates for the transformation of our society through the Youth who need to believe in their own worth enough to overcome disadvantages. Poignantly, she reveals the difficulty she had in embracing the political life her husband relishes and in achieving a balance in her public life and her personal life during her years as First Lady. Already an admirer, I came away at the end of this book with my admiration enhanced by a more nuanced understanding of this impressive person.