I’m relatively sure Michelle Obama’s Becoming doesn’t need a publisher’s summary. It’s simply her story, from growing up in the South Side of Chicago to her tenure as First Lady of the United States.

I really enjoyed this one. Off the bat, you should know that political rhetoric and policy play a very small role in the book. Even if you don’t lean towards the Obamas politically, you can read and appreciate this book without being overrun with their political viewpoint.

I related to Michelle’s parents’ viewpoint on education being the ticket to a better life. Both of my parents grew up poor, and held that same belief. Reading her experiences in that area resonated with me.

The thing that I enjoyed most about the book was hearing about Michelle’s bonds with her girlfriends. The power of long-term, sustaining friendships among women cannot be underestimated. I also think that the love Mr. and Mrs. Obama have shows through in her writing about him and their relationship.

I both read this book and listened to it, depending on the time I had available. She narrates the audiobook, and it was nice to literally hear her story in her voice.

My book club read Becoming for our January selection. We discussed it last night, and we did have a general consensus that there were parts of the book that dragged a bit and were a little slow. Overall, though, we all give this one a recommend. Our next selection is Laura Bush’s Spoken from the Heart. I think it will be good to read another perspective of a member of a very small club, especially with the Bushes and Obamas becoming friends.

I’ll but putting this one on my best-of 2019 list.