by Michelle Obama
I seldom read autobiographies, but I’m glad I picked this one up. This is a memoir of how Michelle Obama grew up in a tight-knit family with modest means on the South side of Chicago, through her determination excelled academically and fueled her success, and transitioned into the White House as First Lady.
The writing felt authentic and honest, where the writer shared candidly her challenges of feeling like an outsider in predominantly white institutions. Her dedication to family, drive to succeed and passion towards public service is inspiring. Through her stories I got to understand better the challenges faced by minority races.
I particularly enjoyed reading about her early relationship with Barack Obama, how they mutually supported each other’s passions and how their journey took them to the highest political office. Her story offers a fascinating peek into the White House behind the scenes. It also offers a balanced view into how overwhelming a change like this was – the loss of privacy and immense responsibility that comes with the position.
One key takeaway for me that was truly inspiring was how she never backs down from challenges or let her circumstances define her. One thing we all can learn from her is to find your passion, find your voice, and speak up.
Rin Ranger 