The Light We Carry

I have a private joke with myself about this book. I think it's kind of funny that I read The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo, then immediately started this book, The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama. It just so happened they both became available off of my holds list in Libby at the same time and I'm a nerd, so I giggled at the coincidence.

Goodreads Stats

Why I Read This Book/How I Heard About It

The #1 reason I read this book is because I love Michelle Obama. All politics aside, I don't understand how any person could look at her, learn about her, or watch her live out her life and not feel inspired. How could you not pick up on her joyful energy? The woman is top rate, worthy to be listened to and respected. Period. She's my hero.

Basic Summary

If you've read her previous book, Becoming, you know that one dealt with her childhood in detail and felt like a biography of her entire life. I expected more of the same from this, but this book really is set up differently. In it, Michelle talks about how she chooses to persevere through difficult times and each chapter is a tip or trick that she has learned along the way to help her stay focused on the good (the light) and push forward.

First Impressions

Initially, I was struck by Michelle's artful way with words. I saw an interview with Barack Obama shortly after he released his book, A Promised Land. His book and Michelle's were released close to the same time. He told his interviewer that he and Michelle had a bit of a competition for book sales going on and then he sweetly said, "She is the better writer". When I started her book, I realized he spoke the truth. She is a better writer...but only by a smidge.

Final Thoughts

I expected I might be bored listening to this book because I assumed it would be just like Becoming (which was also a great book, but you know...too much of the same and all). Instead, I found myself drawn in by her down-to-earth anecdotes on motherhood and candid look at striving to be an excellent wife and daughter. There was not a hint of arrogance and she was so open with her experiences.

I can't imagine mothering small girls into their teenage years in a pressure cooker like the White House, especially as a black woman in a country beginning to boil over with the despicable scourge of institutional racism. The Presidency, itself, is enough to send anyone into madness, but the Obama family faced a double helping of fear and stress and vitriol.

It surprises me every day how optimistic the Obamas choose to be for this country. You can feel the optimism as you read the pages of Michelle's book. She talks about really difficult situations and she brings the reader into the dark places with her, but the book ends on a high note, a testament to Michelle Obama's strong and enduring spirit. It makes me want to be just a little more like her. Maybe someday I'll be less cynical and feel less like our country is doomed. I hope she's right in her optimism. I guess we'll see.

Rating on Goodreads

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. Michelle Obama is well-spoken, intelligent, warm, and relatable.

My rating method:

• I rarely rate books 5 stars. I save this for the absolute best books I've read. You know the ones...the ones that you can't get out of your head, even after you've finished them. The ones you think about for weeks afterwards.

• If a book is really, really good, I'll give it 4 stars. If you see a 4-star rating from me, I'd definitely recommend it to you to read.

• If it's just OK, it gets 3 stars. Basically, it means I could take it or leave it. I'd probably read it again because it wasn't terrible. But not like a favorite or anything.

• If I rate it 1 or 2 stars, I would not recommend anyone read it. It either didn't hold my interest or I couldn't relate to the characters/plot.