I think that’s kind of par for the course for a First Lady memoir. Once they get into the campaign it picks up a little but it’s not riveting by any means. A nice, sweet read!
I was the opposite. I absolutely LOVED part one of the book. I liked the rest but that was my favorite. Perhaps it’s because there are not many books out there with people who look like me & whose childhoods & families mirrored mine. I found that fascinating. I get tired of reading either slavery, drug dealers or empire-building stories. This hood & family was mine.
I enjoyed the audiobook as it “listened” like someone telling a story. I looked forward to listening to it when I knew I had time. I have heard from others who read the book that it was not as enjoyable as they were hoping.
It took me way longer to finish than I expected and I kept telling myself it was because I wanted to relish it but really, yes, the beginning is slow. I thoroughly enjoyed it though. It picks up after she’s out of college though!
I’ve been struggling to get into it. I love Michelle but I’ve been a little bored so far. I’m up to her high school years. I think once we get to her meeting Barack and into politics it will get more interesting. (Hoping!!)
I think it’s a great book but I think it’s one to read in small chunks, and alternate with fiction. I think part of the reason it’s slower going is you have pages and pages that go by without any diaglogue sometimes, which is a big change if you mostly read fiction as I do
@Kristina Exactly! I am used to reading biographies but had to read this one in smaller sections because the chapters were so long and it was so full of information, I just had to put it down and absorb it all.
I loved the book but I couldn’t commit to it alone. I’m that way though with lots of books like that, I usually need to read a fiction book as well. I loved Becoming and read it daily but usually only a couple chapters at a time then I would read something else.
I really loved the audiobook! I have a hard time these days with most non fiction unless it’s a funny memoir or something. But, I felt like Michelle was telling me about her life and that made it more fun to listen to. It does pick up a bit when the campaigning starts for sure.
I feel like it was really slow until Barack enters the picture. I feel like it picks up then. I did the audiobook though and listened to it on 1.25 speed ?
@Ashley because a lot of people who voted for her husband are enamored with her. She’s trying to say that you can be apolitical or like the other side and still appreciate her book.
@Ashley I probably should have clarified. I’m not an Obama fan girl and wasn’t really a fan of his (or hers, really for that matter). But, after reading the book, I have a whole new appreciation for her. Basically, it’s so good that even a dyed in the wool Republican loved it.
@Erina me too. I guess that’s why I feel the need to defend her only because she IS independent from her husband, and I did vote for him and I love him.
I’m reading it and about 1/2 through. So far I love it! I can see it could get slow during periods of the book. But I think she has a really compelling story that is worth telling.
Without having read a word of it, or listened to it, everything I’ve read and heard about it led me to believe it was going to be more like a conversation so not something that would be scintillating at every turn but something that would move along at a more leisurely pace with moments of excitement.
There were parts that interested me more than others. I loved hearing about her human side, her relationships, the love story of her and Barack, but I didn’t really care about her initiatives
I’m not done, I had to return my library copy before I could finish, but I was bored until Barack came on the scene really. It just started feeling different from that point on
I’m enjoying it, but I will have to speed through the last 4th, as I’ve had it out for the maximum time, and I know 1 person is waiting for it. Trying to make a decision today: Stay home and finish the book or go to the limited winter farmer’s market? What say you??
@Erina , no, my library doesn’t have it. I believe its possible that the library only ordered it because I asked for it! (I have returned to my childhood home city, a very small, rural area. I had been living in the San Francisco bay area for 11 years) That’s to give a context. ?
I found it easier to read than most biographies. I guess it resonated, surprisingly, with my surprisingly similar upbringing as a white Appalachian in the mts of WV with similar family values … And I thought she wrote it in a breezy manner… But everyone’s different.
I think that’s kind of par for the course for a First Lady memoir. Once they get into the campaign it picks up a little but it’s not riveting by any means. A nice, sweet read!
It starts slow as a normal happy childhood does not a great story make. Her later, not so normal life, is very interesting.
I was the opposite. I absolutely LOVED part one of the book. I liked the rest but that was my favorite. Perhaps it’s because there are not many books out there with people who look like me & whose childhoods & families mirrored mine. I found that fascinating. I get tired of reading either slavery, drug dealers or empire-building stories. This hood & family was mine.
I enjoyed the audiobook as it “listened” like someone telling a story. I looked forward to listening to it when I knew I had time. I have heard from others who read the book that it was not as enjoyable as they were hoping.
@Laura I did this, too. I think reading it would have been less enjoyable. I loved hearing her tell her story.
I really like listening to it. It feels like storytelling instead of a laborious book.
I couldn’t finish it and I love her.
@Jill I felt the same!
I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed the entire thing, I only read a few chapters a day so maybe that helped..
I liked first half about growing up but not second half.
I think listening vs. reading it made a huge difference.
I was bored until she started campaigning with Obama, then I felt like it got moving
It took me way longer to finish than I expected and I kept telling myself it was because I wanted to relish it but really, yes, the beginning is slow. I thoroughly enjoyed it though. It picks up after she’s out of college though!
I’ve been struggling to get into it. I love Michelle but I’ve been a little bored so far. I’m up to her high school years. I think once we get to her meeting Barack and into politics it will get more interesting. (Hoping!!)
I enjoyed the audio version as it was read by her.
I think the audiobook helped. I would’ve probably had trouble reading the first half. But once the Barack stuff starts it gets way better!
I enjoyed it but I did the audiobook. Probably wouldn’t have liked reading it as well as listening to it.
I think it’s a great book but I think it’s one to read in small chunks, and alternate with fiction. I think part of the reason it’s slower going is you have pages and pages that go by without any diaglogue sometimes, which is a big change if you mostly read fiction as I do
@Kristina Exactly! I am used to reading biographies but had to read this one in smaller sections because the chapters were so long and it was so full of information, I just had to put it down and absorb it all.
I enjoyed it but it wasn’t a “couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in a day” type of book. I read a chapter or two a day and that was enough.
I listened to it, and loved it! She reads it, and makes a huge difference!
I loved the book but I couldn’t commit to it alone. I’m that way though with lots of books like that, I usually need to read a fiction book as well. I loved Becoming and read it daily but usually only a couple chapters at a time then I would read something else.
OMG I thought I was the only one! I love non fiction but have to sandwich it with fiction or I don’t finish!
I really loved the audiobook! I have a hard time these days with most non fiction unless it’s a funny memoir or something. But, I felt like Michelle was telling me about her life and that made it more fun to listen to. It does pick up a bit when the campaigning starts for sure.
No. I am a great admirer of hers. But I felt the book dragged in places
I imagine her life dragged in places. I know mine sure did ?
I feel like it was really slow until Barack enters the picture. I feel like it picks up then. I did the audiobook though and listened to it on 1.25 speed ?
I was stoked to read it… then I saw her on so many talk shows that I feel like I know all the highlights. I’m skipping it at least for now.
I liked it but I needed a break.
I LOOOOOOVED “Becoming”. And I didn’t vote for her husband. Either time.
@Stacey why is that relevant?
@Ashley because a lot of people who voted for her husband are enamored with her. She’s trying to say that you can be apolitical or like the other side and still appreciate her book.
@Jaime that was my take as well
@Jaime just seems mighty specific when she is her own person
@Ashley I probably should have clarified. I’m not an Obama fan girl and wasn’t really a fan of his (or hers, really for that matter). But, after reading the book, I have a whole new appreciation for her. Basically, it’s so good that even a dyed in the wool Republican loved it.
Stacey Disterhof I guess that is better? I think her book emphasizes why you should appreciate her on her own. She is a force.
@Ashley she is fierce. I love her
@Erina me too. I guess that’s why I feel the need to defend her only because she IS independent from her husband, and I did vote for him and I love him.
@Ashley ditto!
I’m really looking forward to listening to it but plan to read along with it
Yes, you are the only one. 🙂
Nope, I did get through it but thought it was dull at times.
I’m reading it and about 1/2 through. So far I love it! I can see it could get slow during periods of the book. But I think she has a really compelling story that is worth telling.
Without having read a word of it, or listened to it, everything I’ve read and heard about it led me to believe it was going to be more like a conversation so not something that would be scintillating at every turn but something that would move along at a more leisurely pace with moments of excitement.
Yes! In some places.
I’m listening on audio but I’m loving it. Not bored at all.
Not at all. Finally had to take a break. But need to finish as my daughter wants to talk about it!
I am loving it but I am only on chapter 8.
Enjoyed it very much!
There were parts that interested me more than others. I loved hearing about her human side, her relationships, the love story of her and Barack, but I didn’t really care about her initiatives
I enjoyed it! I read it vs. listened to it and it felt like she was slowly telling me her story. I only read a chapter or two at a time.
I loved the audio so much!!
Yes.
In some places I was like, “Come on, Michelle — let’s get to it.” But overall I really enjoyed it.
Nope. Couldn’t get past the piano lessons.
@Melissa It gets so much better after that! Not quite finished but really enjoying it!
It was work for me to read and of course only had a short loan from library. I so wanted to like it but did not find it enjoyable.
I loved it!
I’m not done, I had to return my library copy before I could finish, but I was bored until Barack came on the scene really. It just started feeling different from that point on
No
I’ll keep it and read “Class Mom” now. As long as I know it picks up. Thanks for the input.
I did the audiobook and loved the whole thing!!
I am enjoying but very slowly.
@Lisa see this is how I assumed it should be enjoyed ?
Nope. You are not alone!
The story is amazing but the writing is too detailed at times and it slows the pacing of her narrative. I ended up skimming some sections.
I’m enjoying it, but I will have to speed through the last 4th, as I’ve had it out for the maximum time, and I know 1 person is waiting for it. Trying to make a decision today: Stay home and finish the book or go to the limited winter farmer’s market? What say you??
@Kimberly can you listen to it while you go to the farmer’s market?
@Erina , no, my library doesn’t have it. I believe its possible that the library only ordered it because I asked for it! (I have returned to my childhood home city, a very small, rural area. I had been living in the San Francisco bay area for 11 years) That’s to give a context. ?
@Kimberly oh wow lol gotcha
Super boring!
I’m on page 76….it’s ok. I’m going to keep reading because I’ve heard great things.
I’m reading it and loving it but I’m also reading another fiction book to help break it up a little
I’m reading it and enjoying it.
Read it and loved it! Finished in two days on a cruise! Loved her writing style.
Wasn’t interested after her talking about it on the talk show circuit.
Love, love, loved it. Read it and listened to it. ♥️
I found it easier to read than most biographies. I guess it resonated, surprisingly, with my surprisingly similar upbringing as a white Appalachian in the mts of WV with similar family values … And I thought she wrote it in a breezy manner… But everyone’s different.
Nope. I didn’t finish it.
Loved it❤️
You are not alone.
I listened to it and really enjoyed it!