WIB@L May Book of the Month Reviews: Becoming by Michelle Obama

Author: Ingrid Guo ’21

Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming is a book I recommend for everyone, no matter the age or gender, to read. Her book was inspiring to me as a young woman, as much as witty, and adding her signature flair of humor which also contributed as an extra personal touch. In her book, she opens up her story by telling the story of her childhood, which included many lessons that she mentions had also shaped the person she is today. In her memoir, she shows her transition as an adult: as a lawyer to a non-profit executive to her meeting her future husband, Barack Obama, and her journey to becoming the first African-American First Lady. Throughout it all, she stayed true to her beliefs and her South-Side Chicago roots, not allowing anyone or anything, even the massive audience of the nation and the continuous politics, to sway what she believed is right. Her strong will, her drive, her patience, and her dedication to family all are characteristics that, I believe, could sum her up as one of the greatest role models to young women in America.

Author: Yee Xin Cher ’22

Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming is a great read for anyone interested to know about who she was before becoming First Lady, and how those experiences have shaped her actions in the White House. She opens up about personal struggles, making the book more relatable, as well as the issues she faced that were unique to her, being part of the first black family in the White House. Reading about her life experiences gives hope, as she was able to overcome all that she went through with grace and still accomplish many things. She stayed true to her values and has used her platform to help students and families who are going through the same struggles she did. The candid writing style makes it a light read, but there are so many impactful ideas in it that are worth a read for anyone.

Author: Malin Phelan ’23

Michelle Obama’s 2018 memoir, Becoming, provides more than an inspirational story. It shows a raw, candid account of her life in the White House under the scrutiny of millions. Obama’s narration of life from the South Side of Chicago to Princeton and Harvard, back to Chicago, and eventually to Washington D.C. as the first black First Lady is greatly inspirational and provides an important outlook on what it means to be a woman in America. While her academic achievements (Princeton for college, Harvard for law school) are impressive, her decision to step down from her high-paying job as a lawyer to work on more meaningful projects was easily one of the most memorable moments of the book. And when we eventually are shown aspects of life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - well, it’s nothing but riveting and very moving at times. Well written, honest, and simply fascinating, Becoming is a book that is a true account of the life of a First Lady, written from her perspective - and a book that all should read for its message about what it means to be an American in our current age.

Author: Isabella Lo ’22

In the book Becoming, Michelle Obama revealed many "not so perfect" details of her life before and during her time as a first lady. Her argument with the legendary Barack Obama, conflicts she encountered between her career and the duty of being the "first lady," also the discrimination she and Barack Obama faced as African Americans.

I suddenly realized why Michelle was so high in the polls, even higher than that of Barack Obama:

Unlike the "capital beyond ability is zero" theory that is preached by many gilded elites, or the social Darwinian pretensions of many who have risen to the top from the ranks of the humble.

She always emphasized that she was an ordinary person, just lucky enough to have taken an extraordinary path and that other people could have achieved similar things if they had had the same opportunity. The personal effort, family, and social education supported her to open the door upward, and she was trying to open the doors for others when she opened them.