Becoming

Becoming by Michelle Obama  720 pages   

Michelle Obama tells the story of her life from growing up on Chicago's Southside in a blue collar family to pursuing her goal  to become a lawyer, to her other successful career choices and especially to meeting and marrying Barack Obama yet maintaining her own personhood that of a strong black woman amid the political life she never wanted.   Throughout her life she trusted her own instincts, she was supported by loving parents always encouraging her to pursue her dreams and goals.  She never defined herself as the wife of...Michelle had achieved her own career merits and did not choose to ride on Baracks laurels.  As First Lady she initiated many programs to help women and girls, a program to help get more nutritious food in the schools and fun activities and exercise programs to help our nation's youth to become mindful and desirous of keeping body mass (fat/overweight/high blood pressure and diabetes) down.  She worked hard to make the White House a more accessible place to all people regardless of race, creedd, gender, age, etc.  She and Barack weren't afraid to show their fun sides on t.v. with James Cordon, Oprah, Ellen Degeneris and the ladies from the View.  THe Obamas dealt with national tragedies with the same grace they did in all things.  Michelle opens up about her frustrations, her embarrasing moment and brings the reader in like a close confidant over tea.   A good book.  I recommend it to every age.. Daughter, wife, mother and a savvy woman in her own right.  

 - Shirley J.