Becoming is everything you would expect it to be and more. Warm, honest, and surprisingly relatable.
Pairs With: Dark Caramel Sea Salt Chocolate (preferable from your local chocolatier) and an “I Miss Obama” t-shirt.
Overview:
Becoming by Michelle Obama is everything you would expect it to be and more. Similar to her podcast, The Michelle Obama Podcast, Becoming is warm, honest, and surprisingly relatable. The former first lady takes you behind the scenes of her and her family’s journey from the South Side of Chicago to the White House.
Escaping the White House
One of my favorite stories Michelle Obama recalls is when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. In celebration, the White House was lit up with rainbow lights. From the inside, Mrs. Obama could see the crowds gathered on Pennsylvania Ave but could not hear them at all. She describes the White House as a fortress where the Marine One helicopter could be landing right outside, kicking up gale-force winds but inside the house, they wouldn’t hear anything.
After a hard day of grieving for the victims of the church shooting in South Carolina, Michelle could see a party just outside her windows. “Hundreds of people were staring up at our house. I wanted to see it the way they did. I found myself suddenly desperate to join the celebration” (Obama 398).
Typically, in order for her to leave the house, she would have to run it by the Secret Service. However, this night, she wasn’t having it. She and Malia scurried past the agents, avoiding eye contact, and made their way to a big door on the north side of the White House. When the door wouldn’t open because it had been locked by Secret Service (primarily because of a knife-wielding lunatic who had hopped the fence and barged through the same door nine months earlier), Malia and Michelle made their way to a side door that was used primarily for deliveries.
Once they busted out (a task that took 10 minutes!), they heard the crowd cheering and found a spot off to the side where no one could see them. She and Malia had a “close-up view of the White House, lit up in pride” (400).
Conclusion
Becoming will make you smile as you read through the heart-warming, honest, and relatable stories – however, be warned it will make you miss the Obama’s even more.
If you’ve read it, what did you think? What was your favorite part? I can’t wait to hear!
(P.S. Want to know what President Obama’s book, A Promised Land, pairs incredibly well with? Check out the post here!)
