What do you think?
Rate this book
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times
#1 NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER - ONE OF TIME'S 100 MUST-READ BOOKS OF 2022 - In an inspiring follow-up to her critically acclaimed, #1 bestselling memoir Becoming, former First Lady Michelle Obama shares practical wisdom and powerful strategies for staying hopeful and balanced in today's highly uncertain world.
There may be no tidy solutions or pithy answers to life's big challenges, but Michelle Obama believes that we can all locate and lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux. In The Light We Carry, she opens a frank and honest dialogue with readers, considering the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What tools do we use to address feelings of self-doubt or helplessness? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much?
Michelle Obama offers readers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles--the earned wisdom that helps her continue to "become." She details her most valuable practices, like "starting kind," "going high," and assembling a "kitchen table" of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness.
"When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it," writes Michelle Obama. A rewarding blend of powerful stories and profound advice that will ignite conversation, The Light We Carry inspires readers to examine their own lives, identify their sources of gladness, and connect meaningfully in a turbulent world.
There may be no tidy solutions or pithy answers to life's big challenges, but Michelle Obama believes that we can all locate and lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux. In The Light We Carry, she opens a frank and honest dialogue with readers, considering the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What tools do we use to address feelings of self-doubt or helplessness? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much?
Michelle Obama offers readers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles--the earned wisdom that helps her continue to "become." She details her most valuable practices, like "starting kind," "going high," and assembling a "kitchen table" of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness.
"When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it," writes Michelle Obama. A rewarding blend of powerful stories and profound advice that will ignite conversation, The Light We Carry inspires readers to examine their own lives, identify their sources of gladness, and connect meaningfully in a turbulent world.
319 pages, Hardcover
First published November 15, 2022
About the author
Michelle Obama
49 books110k followersMichelle Obama served as First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Mrs. Obama started her career as an attorney at the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she met her future husband, Barack Obama. She later worked in the Chicago mayor’s office, at the University of Chicago, and at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Mrs. Obama also founded the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an organization that prepares young people for careers in public service. She is the author of the #1 global bestseller Becoming and the #1 national bestseller American Grown. The Obamas currently live in Washington, D.C., and have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,702 reviews
September 26, 2023
“It’s not always enough to lean in because that s*** doesn’t work.” – Michelle Obama
Last night, I had the great privilege and honor to see Michelle Obama at The Chicago Theatre as she promotes her new book, The Light We Carry.
It was an emotional night. Our country has faced great turmoil recently. Over a million Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19. The division of our country has never been greater in my lifetime, and the world is still struggling to find its post-pandemic stride.
As it just so happens, I took a Republican to the Michelle Obama book tour. He was one of the two people sitting down at the beginning while we were on all our feet, cheering and clapping. However, as the evening progressed, he was smiling and leaning forward, enraptured by the discussion, appealing to his common sense and logic. By the end, he was on his feet cheering.
Before Becoming, I knew next to nothing about Michelle Obama other than she was (and still is) married to Barack Obama, the United States’ first black President. Is Michelle Obama just arm candy? Um no way. She graduated from Princeton and Harvard Law School. When she met Barack Obama, it was when she was his boss at a law firm in Chicago.
So she was just given everything? Not a chance. She wasn’t born into wealth. Her mother was a stay-at-home mom, and her father worked in public works while battling a vicious disability, MS. But he taught her, “You fall. You get up. You carry on.”
Michelle Obama wrote about how she practiced facing fear so having her husband run for President was not such a scary thing. She also spoke about some of the criticism that she received, even ending up as a cartoon on the cover of Time Magazine.
“When they go low, we go high.”
In a world where cruelty gets a big spotlight, The Light We Carry is a breath of fresh hope.
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
Last night, I had the great privilege and honor to see Michelle Obama at The Chicago Theatre as she promotes her new book, The Light We Carry.
It was an emotional night. Our country has faced great turmoil recently. Over a million Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19. The division of our country has never been greater in my lifetime, and the world is still struggling to find its post-pandemic stride.
As it just so happens, I took a Republican to the Michelle Obama book tour. He was one of the two people sitting down at the beginning while we were on all our feet, cheering and clapping. However, as the evening progressed, he was smiling and leaning forward, enraptured by the discussion, appealing to his common sense and logic. By the end, he was on his feet cheering.
Before Becoming, I knew next to nothing about Michelle Obama other than she was (and still is) married to Barack Obama, the United States’ first black President. Is Michelle Obama just arm candy? Um no way. She graduated from Princeton and Harvard Law School. When she met Barack Obama, it was when she was his boss at a law firm in Chicago.
So she was just given everything? Not a chance. She wasn’t born into wealth. Her mother was a stay-at-home mom, and her father worked in public works while battling a vicious disability, MS. But he taught her, “You fall. You get up. You carry on.”
Michelle Obama wrote about how she practiced facing fear so having her husband run for President was not such a scary thing. She also spoke about some of the criticism that she received, even ending up as a cartoon on the cover of Time Magazine.
“When they go low, we go high.”
In a world where cruelty gets a big spotlight, The Light We Carry is a breath of fresh hope.
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
May 21, 2023
A book about relationships, diversity, race, gender, and visibility is what we all need in this current world. I am so excited to see from the blurb that this book by Michelle Obama discusses all these vital topics and much more. I loved reading her memoir, Becoming, and I love to know more about Michelle's take on the concept of unity in diversity (unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation) discussed in this book.
What is the relevance of this book?
This book has an important role in helping people, especially despondent young children and the abject, when the world is going through a phase of recuperating from a crisis now.
This book has three sections and ten chapters. The author discusses many topics in it, like how to tackle the crisis associated with COVID-19. She is debating proper parenting methods from her mothers and her experience and delineates her idea about friendships and marital life. She gives us many tips from her experience to tackle the crisis. She will also help us to become better human beings through this book.
Even though the most important topics, like the pandemic, are coming in the initial chapters itself, it will take some time for the readers to synchronize with her writing style, unlike her previous book, as she is trying to tackle the most complex problem with the simplest yet most effective solutions.
What I learned from this book
1) How can your partners help you to overcome anxiety?
One of the best ways to overcome anxiety is to seek help from your partner if you have an ideal partner. Michelle is so blessed in that case, as she has an understanding husband. We can see how Barack helped in removing all of Michelle's anxieties while going through this book's creative process.
2) What is the power of light we carry?
The biggest power of the lights we carry is their ability to show the way and strengthen those who seek it. It is during testing dark times like this that people will need the biggest help from those who have the light of wisdom with them. The author has beautifully depicted our role to contribute through her writing.
3) What is Michelle's important advice to the younger generation?
This is one of the most important topics discussed by the author in this book. I liked the effort the author put forward in finding out all the essential things that should be addressed during times of crisis and the way she discusses it in this book.
4) What is one of the greatest lessons that life taught Michelle Obama?
Michelle Obama's public speaking endeavors were not cakewalks for her, especially the initial few ones. During the first major speech behind a massive crowd, there were a lot of difficulties, like the teleprompter not working and the confidence monitor becoming obsolete. These experiences taught her one of the greatest lessons in her life.
5) What are Michelle's mother's tips on parenting?
This is how wisdom is and should be transferred from generation to generation. All the readers should be thankful to the author for sharing it with all of us through this book.
These are some other concepts that Michelle discusses in this book like
What helped Michelle to deliver the most complicated speech of her life?
Why is knitting very important in our lives?
What is meant by the Gift of absorption?
What is Michelle's opinion about the George Floyd incident?
What is the importance of celebrating tiny victories?
What is the power of small?
What are the differences and similarities between fear and anxiety?
Why are many people afraid of change?
What are the advantages of getting out of your comfort zone?
How can you convert utterly uncomfortable moments into thrilling moments?
What is one of the most important lessons that Toni Morrison learned about parenting?
What is one of the best parts of the life of being the first lady, according to Michelle?
How being tall affects people's confidence?
What is one of the biggest mistakes black parents unknowingly make to their children?
What is it like being a black student in an ivy league college in America?
What is the secret behind Michelle's success in life?
Why is self-respect one of the most critical things in this world?
What is Michelle's definition of herself?
Is entitlement only a birthright to the privileged?
How can some people scar our entire life?
What is the most common mistake that people commit related to Ivy League universities?
What is the secret that makes Michelle equipped to face all the stress in her life?
How can good friends change your life?
What is the importance of Friendship?
What is one of the biggest problems that Americans and people all around the world are facing right now?
What is the difference between virtual world friendships and real-world friendships?
What is the similarity between Barak Obama and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam when they were the Presidents of their countries?
What is the relationship between friends and barnacles?
What is the problem with friendships in the modern world?
What is a social convoy?
How are smartphones preventing us from making friends?
How can you build friendships?
Even before you start thinking about your marriage, what should you do in your life?
What is the secret of the successful married life of Michelle and Barak Obama?
What are the most common causes of disputes in marital life, and how should we tackle them?
What is Michelle's concept of a life partner?
What should be a parent's advice to their children regarding their life partner?
What is the opinion of Michelle's mother about the White House?
How can we make our kids think about what they actually want?
What should you do when your children make mistakes?
What should we tell our children if they don't like their math teacher?
How should you prepare yourself to respond rather than react?
What are the best parenting books that will help you to become a better mother?
How are some people able to do a lot and lead well-balanced lives?
What is the importance of confidence in our lives?
What does empathy do to our bodies?
What should we do when our path toward our ambition becomes tough?
What is code-switching?
What is the most crucial question that inclusivity is facing now?
What is Michelle's best antidote in facing injustice, fear, or grief?
What is the importance of Integrity in our lives?
What is Michelle's opinion about emotions?
Are we reacting, or are we responding on social media?
What are the best means to fight an ugly stereotype?
My favourite three lines from this book
What could have been better?
For some readers, this book looks like a self-help book with parts mentioning things like the power of gratitude, advantages of knitting, Kaizen (even though Michelle doesn't say the name kaizen), and affirmations in some sort of didactic manner, especially in the initial few chapters. I think the author has taken the best approach in discussing the pandemic, its consequences, and how she coped with it in the best way possible.
The other criticism that might arise is that the book gives parental book vibes digressing from the main topic in the latter half. Being a parent is one of the roles the author enjoys right now. When she is writing a book about her life, she should definitely write about it instead of dabbling with some issues, like some contemporary authors who behave like a dilettante just because they want to discuss trending issues that they have no clue about.
What is the difference between playing to win and playing not to lose?
This is the actual negative that I found out in this book that should have been avoided. When I wrote the review of the book Carrie Soto is back by Taylor Jenkins Reid, I specifically mentioned the point that we should never try not to lose but always try to win (by fair means, obviously). But we can see Michelle saying about how they focussed on trying not to lose the consequent election for Barack's second term rather than trying to win it.
Attempting something to win comes from inspiration, whereas attempting not to lose comes from desperation. The most important quality we should have is the enthusiasm and the attitude to enjoy what we are doing. That will be only present when we are attempting to win. If we are trying something to avoid defeat, we are doing it from a position of weakness.
I think one of the biggest negatives in this book and Michelle's life as the first lady (which is playing safe and trying not to lose in the second term election) can become the biggest positive in her life as she has nothing to prove to others now as we are all accustomed to Obamas and their potential. So if Michelle gets elected as the Vice President or President in the future, she can function much more freely and efficiently. An adroit affable person of her stature, wisdom, experience and acumen can contribute a lot more to the world.
Rating
5/5 This is one of the best memoirs that was published this year and is a befitting sequel to Becoming. It is also published at the correct time of the year when we are recovering from the pandemic and going into the celebration mood for the first time during this Christmas time. This book will equip you in the best manner after one of the worst phases that the world has ever seen during the pandemic to face our future life.
This book proves that the success of Becoming was not something that unexpectedly happened, and Michelle is a genuine writer who can write many more amazing books. It also demonstrates that Michelle is a great human being, a great daughter, a great wife, a fantastic mother, and most importantly, a great leader who has the potential to lead from the front, not just for America but for the whole world.
I couldn't include my full review here due to the Goodreads word limit. You can watch the full review in the link given below
Full English review
—————————————————————————
You can also follow me on
Instagram ID - Dasfill | YouTube Channel ID - Dasfill | YouTube Health Channel ID - Dasfill - Health | YouTube Malayalam Channel ID - Dasfill - Malayalam | Twitter ID - Dasfill1 | Snapchat ID - Dasfill | Facebook ID - Dasfill | TikTok ID - Dasfill1
What is the relevance of this book?
This book has an important role in helping people, especially despondent young children and the abject, when the world is going through a phase of recuperating from a crisis now.
"Young adults are reporting unprecedented rates of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Researchers estimate that more than 7.9 million children around the globe have lost a mother, father, or custodial grandparent to COVID-19. It feels impossible to imagine the impact of any of this—all those pillars of support now gone."
This book has three sections and ten chapters. The author discusses many topics in it, like how to tackle the crisis associated with COVID-19. She is debating proper parenting methods from her mothers and her experience and delineates her idea about friendships and marital life. She gives us many tips from her experience to tackle the crisis. She will also help us to become better human beings through this book.
Even though the most important topics, like the pandemic, are coming in the initial chapters itself, it will take some time for the readers to synchronize with her writing style, unlike her previous book, as she is trying to tackle the most complex problem with the simplest yet most effective solutions.
What I learned from this book
1) How can your partners help you to overcome anxiety?
One of the best ways to overcome anxiety is to seek help from your partner if you have an ideal partner. Michelle is so blessed in that case, as she has an understanding husband. We can see how Barack helped in removing all of Michelle's anxieties while going through this book's creative process.
"Like me, he nursed his own private doubts and worries, his own feelings—however occasional, however irrational—of being possibly not good enough. He understood me better than anyone else. After I'd spilled all my fears, he simply reassured me that the book was great and so was I. He helped me remember that anxiety was a natural part of doing something new and big. He then wrapped his arms around me and touched his forehead lightly to mine. It was all I needed."
2) What is the power of light we carry?
The biggest power of the lights we carry is their ability to show the way and strengthen those who seek it. It is during testing dark times like this that people will need the biggest help from those who have the light of wisdom with them. The author has beautifully depicted our role to contribute through her writing.
"In my experience, this type of self-knowledge builds confidence, which in turn breeds calmness and an ability to maintain perspective, which leads, finally, to being able to connect meaningfully with others—and this to me is the bedrock of all things. One light feeds another. One strong family lends strength to more. One engaged community can ignite those around it. This is the power of the light we carry."
3) What is Michelle's important advice to the younger generation?
This is one of the most important topics discussed by the author in this book. I liked the effort the author put forward in finding out all the essential things that should be addressed during times of crisis and the way she discusses it in this book.
"When you want to make a difference, when you want to change the world, your mental health will sometimes get in the way. And that's because it's supposed to. Health is built on balance. Balance is built on health. We need to tend carefully and sometimes vigilantly to our mental health."
4) What is one of the greatest lessons that life taught Michelle Obama?
Michelle Obama's public speaking endeavors were not cakewalks for her, especially the initial few ones. During the first major speech behind a massive crowd, there were a lot of difficulties, like the teleprompter not working and the confidence monitor becoming obsolete. These experiences taught her one of the greatest lessons in her life.
"One of the greatest lessons life has taught me is that adaptability and preparedness are paradoxically linked. For me, preparedness is part of the armor I wear. I plan, rehearse, and do my homework ahead of anything that feels even remotely like a test. This helps me to operate with more calm under stressful circumstances, knowing I will most often, regardless of what happens, find some pathway through."
5) What are Michelle's mother's tips on parenting?
This is how wisdom is and should be transferred from generation to generation. All the readers should be thankful to the author for sharing it with all of us through this book.
"1. Teach your kids to wake themselves up.
2. It isn't about you. Good parents are always working to put themselves out of business.
3. Know what's truly precious.
4. Parent the child you've got.
5. Come home. We will always like you here."
These are some other concepts that Michelle discusses in this book like
What helped Michelle to deliver the most complicated speech of her life?
Why is knitting very important in our lives?
What is meant by the Gift of absorption?
What is Michelle's opinion about the George Floyd incident?
What is the importance of celebrating tiny victories?
What is the power of small?
What are the differences and similarities between fear and anxiety?
Why are many people afraid of change?
What are the advantages of getting out of your comfort zone?
How can you convert utterly uncomfortable moments into thrilling moments?
What is one of the most important lessons that Toni Morrison learned about parenting?
What is one of the best parts of the life of being the first lady, according to Michelle?
How being tall affects people's confidence?
What is one of the biggest mistakes black parents unknowingly make to their children?
What is it like being a black student in an ivy league college in America?
What is the secret behind Michelle's success in life?
Why is self-respect one of the most critical things in this world?
What is Michelle's definition of herself?
Is entitlement only a birthright to the privileged?
How can some people scar our entire life?
What is the most common mistake that people commit related to Ivy League universities?
What is the secret that makes Michelle equipped to face all the stress in her life?
How can good friends change your life?
What is the importance of Friendship?
What is one of the biggest problems that Americans and people all around the world are facing right now?
What is the difference between virtual world friendships and real-world friendships?
What is the similarity between Barak Obama and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam when they were the Presidents of their countries?
What is the relationship between friends and barnacles?
What is the problem with friendships in the modern world?
What is a social convoy?
How are smartphones preventing us from making friends?
How can you build friendships?
Even before you start thinking about your marriage, what should you do in your life?
What is the secret of the successful married life of Michelle and Barak Obama?
What are the most common causes of disputes in marital life, and how should we tackle them?
What is Michelle's concept of a life partner?
What should be a parent's advice to their children regarding their life partner?
What is the opinion of Michelle's mother about the White House?
How can we make our kids think about what they actually want?
What should you do when your children make mistakes?
What should we tell our children if they don't like their math teacher?
How should you prepare yourself to respond rather than react?
What are the best parenting books that will help you to become a better mother?
How are some people able to do a lot and lead well-balanced lives?
What is the importance of confidence in our lives?
What does empathy do to our bodies?
What should we do when our path toward our ambition becomes tough?
What is code-switching?
What is the most crucial question that inclusivity is facing now?
What is Michelle's best antidote in facing injustice, fear, or grief?
What is the importance of Integrity in our lives?
What is Michelle's opinion about emotions?
Are we reacting, or are we responding on social media?
What are the best means to fight an ugly stereotype?
My favourite three lines from this book
"Maybe it was simply the code he chose to live by. You fall, you get up, you carry on."
"Being different conditions you toward cautiousness, even as it demands that you be bold."
"The challenge in leading a big life becomes trying to find ways to protect your dreams and your drive, to remain tough without being overly guarded, to stay nimble and open to growth, allowing others to see you for who you are. It's about learning how to shelter your flame without hiding its light."
What could have been better?
For some readers, this book looks like a self-help book with parts mentioning things like the power of gratitude, advantages of knitting, Kaizen (even though Michelle doesn't say the name kaizen), and affirmations in some sort of didactic manner, especially in the initial few chapters. I think the author has taken the best approach in discussing the pandemic, its consequences, and how she coped with it in the best way possible.
The other criticism that might arise is that the book gives parental book vibes digressing from the main topic in the latter half. Being a parent is one of the roles the author enjoys right now. When she is writing a book about her life, she should definitely write about it instead of dabbling with some issues, like some contemporary authors who behave like a dilettante just because they want to discuss trending issues that they have no clue about.
What is the difference between playing to win and playing not to lose?
This is the actual negative that I found out in this book that should have been avoided. When I wrote the review of the book Carrie Soto is back by Taylor Jenkins Reid, I specifically mentioned the point that we should never try not to lose but always try to win (by fair means, obviously). But we can see Michelle saying about how they focussed on trying not to lose the consequent election for Barack's second term rather than trying to win it.
Attempting something to win comes from inspiration, whereas attempting not to lose comes from desperation. The most important quality we should have is the enthusiasm and the attitude to enjoy what we are doing. That will be only present when we are attempting to win. If we are trying something to avoid defeat, we are doing it from a position of weakness.
"Any gaffe from me—could potentially dent Barack's approval rating with the public, which in turn could lessen his sway with legislators and derail his efforts to get important bills passed in Congress, which could then of course translate to losing his chance for reelection. Not only that, but I was aware that if the first non-white president failed or otherwise flamed out, it could conceivably shut and lock the door for future candidates of color."
I think one of the biggest negatives in this book and Michelle's life as the first lady (which is playing safe and trying not to lose in the second term election) can become the biggest positive in her life as she has nothing to prove to others now as we are all accustomed to Obamas and their potential. So if Michelle gets elected as the Vice President or President in the future, she can function much more freely and efficiently. An adroit affable person of her stature, wisdom, experience and acumen can contribute a lot more to the world.
Rating
5/5 This is one of the best memoirs that was published this year and is a befitting sequel to Becoming. It is also published at the correct time of the year when we are recovering from the pandemic and going into the celebration mood for the first time during this Christmas time. This book will equip you in the best manner after one of the worst phases that the world has ever seen during the pandemic to face our future life.
This book proves that the success of Becoming was not something that unexpectedly happened, and Michelle is a genuine writer who can write many more amazing books. It also demonstrates that Michelle is a great human being, a great daughter, a great wife, a fantastic mother, and most importantly, a great leader who has the potential to lead from the front, not just for America but for the whole world.
I couldn't include my full review here due to the Goodreads word limit. You can watch the full review in the link given below
Full English review
—————————————————————————
You can also follow me on
Instagram ID - Dasfill | YouTube Channel ID - Dasfill | YouTube Health Channel ID - Dasfill - Health | YouTube Malayalam Channel ID - Dasfill - Malayalam | Twitter ID - Dasfill1 | Snapchat ID - Dasfill | Facebook ID - Dasfill | TikTok ID - Dasfill1
November 22, 2022
I love this woman. She could publish her grocery list and I would buy it.
But I will say one thing.
Michelle Obama is a much better person than me. She is able to shake off the nonstop racism directed at her and her husband....me...ya girl would not be as forgiving. We know her infamous phrase "When they low, we go high", Michelle does discuss what this phrase actually means but it basically comes down to don't act in an emotional way. Which I understand but also if you are attacking my family, it's your ass. Maybe that's why no handsome future President has married me, because I would be making the news everyday.
The Light We Carry isn't a memoir in the vain of her book Becoming. This book is more of a "Self Help" book....I know guys, you know I hate "Self Help" but my girl Michelle isn't trying to tell YOU how to do things. She's simply telling us how she was taught by her mother to handle things and some things she's learned through making mistakes.
If you love My Forever First Lady Michelle Obama, than pick this up.
If you like "Self Help, pick it up.
My review is totally biased so take it with a huge grain of salt.
But I will say one thing.
Michelle Obama is a much better person than me. She is able to shake off the nonstop racism directed at her and her husband....me...ya girl would not be as forgiving. We know her infamous phrase "When they low, we go high", Michelle does discuss what this phrase actually means but it basically comes down to don't act in an emotional way. Which I understand but also if you are attacking my family, it's your ass. Maybe that's why no handsome future President has married me, because I would be making the news everyday.
The Light We Carry isn't a memoir in the vain of her book Becoming. This book is more of a "Self Help" book....I know guys, you know I hate "Self Help" but my girl Michelle isn't trying to tell YOU how to do things. She's simply telling us how she was taught by her mother to handle things and some things she's learned through making mistakes.
If you love My Forever First Lady Michelle Obama, than pick this up.
If you like "Self Help, pick it up.
My review is totally biased so take it with a huge grain of salt.
November 17, 2022
Audiobook…..read by Michelle
Obama
…..9 hours and 59 minutes
Obama polished her tools from her *Life-Toolbox*!!!
She shared with us how her tools lay the foundation for what’s productive and what’s not.
She shared about:
….joy
….anguish,
….bumps along the path,
… obstacles as our life lessons,
….resetting her thinking: self acceptance,
….being good enough,
….empowering her strengths
….problem solving choices,
Themes include:
….love,
….family,
….marriage,
….parenting,
….friendships,
….fears,
….powerful conversations, ….moral challenges,
….tools for creating change by design
…. racism and bigotry,
….staying hopeful during helpless difficult times,
….increased loneliness around the world since the pandemic,
…. infuriating political strife,
….strategies and consequences for ‘going high’.
….falling, getting up, and carrying on.
….learning what to do when feeling rage and hurt.
…. tools for staying tough, telling the truth, staying outraged, but doing the necessary work.
….tools for staying focused…
…. intimate personal stories about her father who had multiple sclerosis, her older brother, her mother, and her very close friends,
….adjusting to the lifestyle of living in the White House,
…her daughters becoming adults, (colleges years)
….tools pertaining to smart prudence and financial savings,
….being mindful of her resources, (how much she had to give and how much she still needed to earn),
….feeding her happiness, ..
….staying physically fit,
….eating well,
….shared tools to steady herself against harsh criticism,
….the value of maintaining healthy boundaries,
….the practice of being kind to herself…..
….she shared “her light” with the many people she has met through her many opportunities in this strange and broken world.
For a short time I felt my own disappointment—I wasn’t feeling the ‘magic’ as I did in her memoir, “Becoming”…..
I was critical at the start… I thought parts of this memoir felt more preachy than experiential….
But then —
at the start of Part Two….I was fully engaged taking in her wisdom about friendships …
titled, “My Kitchen Table”.
Her insights about friendships was my personal favorite part.
But here’s the thing ….. about Michelle Obama > she’s ‘our’ Michelle Obama. She’s a wonderfully decent woman—influential, likable, a brilliant down to earth leader who stands for the best in humanity…
She’s has a pure heart (she’s the real deal), optimistic without being naïve.
Her words are impactful.
She represents being a real champion…..a woman who values normalcy—being our true selves—and working together to make positive changes.
With Obama’s delightful demeanor…..
we are blessed to have her as one of our greatest female leaders of our day.
4.5 - 5 stars ….
From a slow questionable start, a subtle awakening grew for me….
I ended up appreciating the value that this book is.
As I’ve said many times before— “What’s not to like about Michelle Obama?”
Not much!!!
Obama
…..9 hours and 59 minutes
Obama polished her tools from her *Life-Toolbox*!!!
She shared with us how her tools lay the foundation for what’s productive and what’s not.
She shared about:
….joy
….anguish,
….bumps along the path,
… obstacles as our life lessons,
….resetting her thinking: self acceptance,
….being good enough,
….empowering her strengths
….problem solving choices,
Themes include:
….love,
….family,
….marriage,
….parenting,
….friendships,
….fears,
….powerful conversations, ….moral challenges,
….tools for creating change by design
…. racism and bigotry,
….staying hopeful during helpless difficult times,
….increased loneliness around the world since the pandemic,
…. infuriating political strife,
….strategies and consequences for ‘going high’.
….falling, getting up, and carrying on.
….learning what to do when feeling rage and hurt.
…. tools for staying tough, telling the truth, staying outraged, but doing the necessary work.
….tools for staying focused…
…. intimate personal stories about her father who had multiple sclerosis, her older brother, her mother, and her very close friends,
….adjusting to the lifestyle of living in the White House,
…her daughters becoming adults, (colleges years)
….tools pertaining to smart prudence and financial savings,
….being mindful of her resources, (how much she had to give and how much she still needed to earn),
….feeding her happiness, ..
….staying physically fit,
….eating well,
….shared tools to steady herself against harsh criticism,
….the value of maintaining healthy boundaries,
….the practice of being kind to herself…..
….she shared “her light” with the many people she has met through her many opportunities in this strange and broken world.
For a short time I felt my own disappointment—I wasn’t feeling the ‘magic’ as I did in her memoir, “Becoming”…..
I was critical at the start… I thought parts of this memoir felt more preachy than experiential….
But then —
at the start of Part Two….I was fully engaged taking in her wisdom about friendships …
titled, “My Kitchen Table”.
Her insights about friendships was my personal favorite part.
But here’s the thing ….. about Michelle Obama > she’s ‘our’ Michelle Obama. She’s a wonderfully decent woman—influential, likable, a brilliant down to earth leader who stands for the best in humanity…
She’s has a pure heart (she’s the real deal), optimistic without being naïve.
Her words are impactful.
She represents being a real champion…..a woman who values normalcy—being our true selves—and working together to make positive changes.
With Obama’s delightful demeanor…..
we are blessed to have her as one of our greatest female leaders of our day.
4.5 - 5 stars ….
From a slow questionable start, a subtle awakening grew for me….
I ended up appreciating the value that this book is.
As I’ve said many times before— “What’s not to like about Michelle Obama?”
Not much!!!
November 4, 2022
I wish she would run for president.
April 26, 2024
Courageous. Candid. Classy. Compassionate. Clever.
In Becoming, we got a chance to learn Michelle Obama's backstory and the life of times of a First Lady during her husband Barack's presidency. But in The Light We Carry, Michelle takes us one step further into her personal journey through the years since the COVID-19 pandemic began and shares with the reader the contents of her toolkit. But there are no socket wrenches to be found here: this is Michelle Obama's MENTAL toolkit...which is nothing more or less than a toolkit for survival.
This book reads a bit like self-help, but also has the feel of a memoir: Michelle takes you through some of what she was feeling at different points (after the results of the presidential election following Obama's term, the beginning of the pandemic and all of the uncertainty, and also some great anecdotes from her childhood and interactions with her wise and wonderful mother) and also presents some fundamental strategies that have helped her quell her personal anxiety.
You'd never believe that a woman as strong, intelligent, and poised as Michelle could have felt some of the insecurities she describes in these pages, but this is part of Michelle's gift as both an orator and a human: her words make you feel seen AND give you hope, but never sugarcoat the enormity of the work that lies ahead. Some of Michelle's personal strategies involve creating (she picked up knitting as a hobby during COVID) and some lie in the strength of the personal relationships around her (her Kitchen Table friends that are true blue, the joy and strength she finds in being a mother and in her marriage) and of course the lessons imbued in her from a young age from a mother that taught her confidence, resilience, and class in the face of adversity and hate.
It's sometimes easy for self-help books to feel canned, or like they often consist of recycled advice, but I would argue the best advice IS recycled: the formulas tend to repeat because they WORK. What Michelle Obama does so masterfully in The Light We Carry, however, is to remind us that even in a world that no longer seems to possess ANY sort of baseline or provide any type of security...WE are the baseline. Our humanity, our kindness, our hope...and above all, our light.
4.5 stars
Now available in paperback!
In Becoming, we got a chance to learn Michelle Obama's backstory and the life of times of a First Lady during her husband Barack's presidency. But in The Light We Carry, Michelle takes us one step further into her personal journey through the years since the COVID-19 pandemic began and shares with the reader the contents of her toolkit. But there are no socket wrenches to be found here: this is Michelle Obama's MENTAL toolkit...which is nothing more or less than a toolkit for survival.
This book reads a bit like self-help, but also has the feel of a memoir: Michelle takes you through some of what she was feeling at different points (after the results of the presidential election following Obama's term, the beginning of the pandemic and all of the uncertainty, and also some great anecdotes from her childhood and interactions with her wise and wonderful mother) and also presents some fundamental strategies that have helped her quell her personal anxiety.
You'd never believe that a woman as strong, intelligent, and poised as Michelle could have felt some of the insecurities she describes in these pages, but this is part of Michelle's gift as both an orator and a human: her words make you feel seen AND give you hope, but never sugarcoat the enormity of the work that lies ahead. Some of Michelle's personal strategies involve creating (she picked up knitting as a hobby during COVID) and some lie in the strength of the personal relationships around her (her Kitchen Table friends that are true blue, the joy and strength she finds in being a mother and in her marriage) and of course the lessons imbued in her from a young age from a mother that taught her confidence, resilience, and class in the face of adversity and hate.
It's sometimes easy for self-help books to feel canned, or like they often consist of recycled advice, but I would argue the best advice IS recycled: the formulas tend to repeat because they WORK. What Michelle Obama does so masterfully in The Light We Carry, however, is to remind us that even in a world that no longer seems to possess ANY sort of baseline or provide any type of security...WE are the baseline. Our humanity, our kindness, our hope...and above all, our light.
4.5 stars
Now available in paperback!
November 22, 2022
I love Michelle Obama but I only kinda liked this book. It’s a typical self help book that reiterates a lot of the same information we all are used to hearing by now. Even with the personal anecdotes, I couldn’t fully get into the book. Similar to other self-help books, it left me unsatisfied and wanting more.
Here’s one quote though that really resonated with me:
“We keep learning even when we’re tired of learning, changing even when we’re exhausted by change.”
I’ve hit a point of my life where I’m tired of growth - the constant obstacles and challenges I’ve had to face has been exhausting. I just want to coast the rest of my way through life. But alas, nothing worthwhile is ever easy and as Michelle indicates throughout her book, we gotta do the work!
So although I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the read, I thank you, Michelle, for this book. It shall occupy a beloved space on my bookshelf next to Becoming (which I loved!) and her husband’s book, A Promised Land. And maybe one day I’ll pick up this book again to read with fresh eyes and a more open/receptive heart.
Here’s one quote though that really resonated with me:
“We keep learning even when we’re tired of learning, changing even when we’re exhausted by change.”
I’ve hit a point of my life where I’m tired of growth - the constant obstacles and challenges I’ve had to face has been exhausting. I just want to coast the rest of my way through life. But alas, nothing worthwhile is ever easy and as Michelle indicates throughout her book, we gotta do the work!
So although I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the read, I thank you, Michelle, for this book. It shall occupy a beloved space on my bookshelf next to Becoming (which I loved!) and her husband’s book, A Promised Land. And maybe one day I’ll pick up this book again to read with fresh eyes and a more open/receptive heart.
November 9, 2022
Just rating it because of the trolls giving 1 star before it has been released. I’ll update when I do actually read it.
January 9, 2023
I’ve been a big fan of Michelle Obama since Barack’s early days as President. I loved Becoming and really liked The Light We Carry too.
In TLWC, Michelle acknowledges the deep uncertainty and major challenges we’ve all faced over the last few (few, too many?) years, sharing her insight and tools for dealing with this. Of course, every tool won’t work for everyone in every situation, but it’s comforting to know even someone as smart, successful, and grounded as Michelle contends with these same feelings.
Unsurprisingly, the whole book is great and worth reading or listening to, but the first 2 chapters “The Power of Small” and “Decoding Fear” resonated with me the most. Michelle turned to knitting as a hobby during the pandemic, finding solace in something small alongside the larger battles she works through regularly. She also encourages us to evaluate our fears, some which can be legitimate, while others often are not.
“In trying to spare yourself the worry and discomfort of taking a risk, you're potentially costing yourself an opportunity. In clinging only to what you know, you are making your world small. You are robbing yourself of chances to grow.”
I listened to The Light We Carry because it’s hard to beat hearing from Michelle herself, but also bought a physical copy to keep and refer back to. Highly recommend — 4.5 stars
In TLWC, Michelle acknowledges the deep uncertainty and major challenges we’ve all faced over the last few (few, too many?) years, sharing her insight and tools for dealing with this. Of course, every tool won’t work for everyone in every situation, but it’s comforting to know even someone as smart, successful, and grounded as Michelle contends with these same feelings.
Unsurprisingly, the whole book is great and worth reading or listening to, but the first 2 chapters “The Power of Small” and “Decoding Fear” resonated with me the most. Michelle turned to knitting as a hobby during the pandemic, finding solace in something small alongside the larger battles she works through regularly. She also encourages us to evaluate our fears, some which can be legitimate, while others often are not.
“In trying to spare yourself the worry and discomfort of taking a risk, you're potentially costing yourself an opportunity. In clinging only to what you know, you are making your world small. You are robbing yourself of chances to grow.”
I listened to The Light We Carry because it’s hard to beat hearing from Michelle herself, but also bought a physical copy to keep and refer back to. Highly recommend — 4.5 stars
January 6, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed Michelle Obama's book, Becoming, and looked forward to reading The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times.
Initially, I was worried that The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times was too much of a self-help book that wouldn't hold my interest, But as I read each page, I was sucked into her prose, transparency, and poignant insights. We have all been impacted by the pandemic and the continual chaos and changes in our lives and relationships over the past several years.
Michelle offers insights into what has made her so strong, resilient, and determined to always "go high" even when it is daunting. Her voice and suggestions are like a steadying rudder on a boat being tossed about during an intense storm.
Her writing style is captivating. Some of the passages that were memorable include:
* Uncertainty continues to soak itself into nearly every corner of life
* Maya Angelou: Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.
* Big storms breach our boundaries and burst our pipes
* The swinging pendulum of history
* A blanket of despondency
* Volcanic clarity
* Jeopardy is woven into the human experience
* Find ways to convert fear into rocket fuel
* Steadiness becomes a platform from which to launch a bigger life
* We need to stay aware of whose stories are being told and whose are being erased
* Discomfort is a teacher
* Loneliness becomes hyper-tuned to social threats which can lead to further isolation
* Distrust has become society's default emotion
* It's much harder to hate up close
* Our differences are treasures and also tools
* Adaptability and preparedness are paradoxically linked
* Striving for excellence is an attempt not to drown
* Rage can be a dirty windshield
* Complacency wears the mask of convenience
* Joy and pain often live in close proximity
* Be judicious with your energy and clear in your commitments and convictions
One startling statistic Michelle shared is that more than 90 million eligible voters stayed home on Election Day in 2016. She has been actively involved in voter engagement. Each person's vote matters.
Highly recommend this incredible book!
Initially, I was worried that The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times was too much of a self-help book that wouldn't hold my interest, But as I read each page, I was sucked into her prose, transparency, and poignant insights. We have all been impacted by the pandemic and the continual chaos and changes in our lives and relationships over the past several years.
Michelle offers insights into what has made her so strong, resilient, and determined to always "go high" even when it is daunting. Her voice and suggestions are like a steadying rudder on a boat being tossed about during an intense storm.
Her writing style is captivating. Some of the passages that were memorable include:
* Uncertainty continues to soak itself into nearly every corner of life
* Maya Angelou: Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.
* Big storms breach our boundaries and burst our pipes
* The swinging pendulum of history
* A blanket of despondency
* Volcanic clarity
* Jeopardy is woven into the human experience
* Find ways to convert fear into rocket fuel
* Steadiness becomes a platform from which to launch a bigger life
* We need to stay aware of whose stories are being told and whose are being erased
* Discomfort is a teacher
* Loneliness becomes hyper-tuned to social threats which can lead to further isolation
* Distrust has become society's default emotion
* It's much harder to hate up close
* Our differences are treasures and also tools
* Adaptability and preparedness are paradoxically linked
* Striving for excellence is an attempt not to drown
* Rage can be a dirty windshield
* Complacency wears the mask of convenience
* Joy and pain often live in close proximity
* Be judicious with your energy and clear in your commitments and convictions
One startling statistic Michelle shared is that more than 90 million eligible voters stayed home on Election Day in 2016. She has been actively involved in voter engagement. Each person's vote matters.
Highly recommend this incredible book!
January 31, 2023
I absolutely adore Michelle Obama, I’ll read anything she writes. Instead of a biography, this was more of a helpful facts book intermixed with examples from real life. If you’ve already read Becoming, it can be a little bit repetitive. But ultimately this book is meant to empower those who read it and I hope it helps a lot of people find their light.
October 18, 2023
Blog | Instagram
Rating: 4 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The clean, white design nicely reflects the content and message of this book. I also love Michelle's smiling photo and how its colours match the text colours.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The conversational writing style incorporates creative metaphors and captivating stories to maximize the impact of the content. Repetition is also used to drive home key concepts, and a positive, uplifting atmosphere keeps the book engaging throughout.
"In clinging only to what you know, you are making your world small."
Content: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Through honest reflections, Michelle Obama takes us further into her personal journey and offers valuable insights on complex themes such as uncertainty, injustice, friendships, and being different. However, the contents felt slightly disjointed, and it took me some time to settle into this book.
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Michelle effortlessly uses vocal variety to enhance the tone and atmosphere throughout this book, making the content even more engaging.
Here are a few more quotes I liked:
• “sometimes the big stuff becomes easier to handle when you deliberately put something small alongside it.”
• “Our hurts become our fears. Our fears become our limits.”
• “There’s something unnerving about moving through a place and not seeing people who look like you anywhere.”
• “No one can make you feel bad if you feel good about yourself”
• “When you know your own light, you are then better prepared to share it with another person”
In summary, Michelle Obama draws on her personal experiences and toolkit to present readers with ways to handle various situations and challenges. This impactful content is kept engaging through her vibrant writing and narration. For more advice on building and improving friendships, which Michelle touches on, check out To My Sisters by Courtney Daniella Boateng and Renee Kapuku.
____________________________________
For those who have read this and want to discuss it, here are a few questions:
Rating: 4 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The clean, white design nicely reflects the content and message of this book. I also love Michelle's smiling photo and how its colours match the text colours.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The conversational writing style incorporates creative metaphors and captivating stories to maximize the impact of the content. Repetition is also used to drive home key concepts, and a positive, uplifting atmosphere keeps the book engaging throughout.
"In clinging only to what you know, you are making your world small."
Content: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Through honest reflections, Michelle Obama takes us further into her personal journey and offers valuable insights on complex themes such as uncertainty, injustice, friendships, and being different. However, the contents felt slightly disjointed, and it took me some time to settle into this book.
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Michelle effortlessly uses vocal variety to enhance the tone and atmosphere throughout this book, making the content even more engaging.
Here are a few more quotes I liked:
• “sometimes the big stuff becomes easier to handle when you deliberately put something small alongside it.”
• “Our hurts become our fears. Our fears become our limits.”
• “There’s something unnerving about moving through a place and not seeing people who look like you anywhere.”
• “No one can make you feel bad if you feel good about yourself”
• “When you know your own light, you are then better prepared to share it with another person”
In summary, Michelle Obama draws on her personal experiences and toolkit to present readers with ways to handle various situations and challenges. This impactful content is kept engaging through her vibrant writing and narration. For more advice on building and improving friendships, which Michelle touches on, check out To My Sisters by Courtney Daniella Boateng and Renee Kapuku.
____________________________________
For those who have read this and want to discuss it, here are a few questions:
March 3, 2023
“When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high.”
Michelle Obama at the 2016 Democratic National Convention
In 2020 in the middle of a Global Pandemic, with a maniac for president sitting in the White House, many people faced a period of uncertainty. Causal hugs, unmasked smiles and easy interactions with others were lost. There were unarmed Black men being killed by police officers kneeling on their necks until they were dead, and various groups of people like Asian Americans or members of the LGBTQ community were attacked on the streets, or our president had police officers attack people with tear gas peacefully protesting for some photo opportunity, or that same president extorting a mob of rioters to attack our capital to overturn an election. These things left people wobbly and unsettled. Michelle Obama decided to write a book describing her personal toolbox to show how she stays balanced and confident during times of anxiety and stress.
Much of that toolbox deals with relationships: how to build them, keep them and nurture them. These relationships are with friends, family and colleagues. I found a couple of these to be particularly interesting.
Michelle Obama relates a story about the husband, Ron, of a friend who greets himself in the mirror each morning. “Heeey, Buddy”. His wife reports that he says this out loud and sounds like he is greeting an old friend. As someone who talks to himself quite regularly I feel like I should also say hello to myself each morning. “Good Morning, Jim. Welcome to the starting line of a new day.”
Perhaps a more important story is the one she relates about greeting children when they walk into a room. In an interview with Oprah, Toni Morrison described how when a child walks into a room your face should light up with a big smile. When someone lights up for us we remember it. They should be met with a “What’s right”, not a “What’s wrong.” Research has shown that when teachers greet their students academic engagement improves and classroom disruptions are reduced. (Page 82)
Much of the book deals with children. She states kids should be “seen and heard”. That they should be granted your trust rather than having to earn it. Let them live up to your expectations rather than live down to your doubts and worries.
Whether it’s like Ron who says good morning to himself, or having a happy face when greeting children or friends, finding and appreciating the light inside people is a valuable tool for overcoming the uncertainty of these hard times.
Michelle Obama became very familiar with the negative image of a black woman as the First Lady. The right-wing media painted her some fire-breathing monster perpetuating the imagery of a “Angry Black Woman.” When she began speaking about childhood obesity and advocating healthy food choices at school she was met with:
“If the government is allowed to dictate our diet, what’s next?” ranted one Fox News commentator. “Do they start deciding who we’ll marry, where we’ll work?”
(Page 271)
Here she had to resist getting pissed off and go high.
Following the 2016 National Democratic Convention where Michelle Obama stated the “Go High” quote, she was frequently questioned about what it meant and how to go high. It probably says a lot about the tragedy of 2016 that her quote was remembered. She spends the last portion of the book trying to answer that question. She writes about maintaining your integrity when others are losing theirs, and showing your children and others what it is like to live with love and decency. Our rage is often warranted, but the question is what are we doing with it. When faced with the problems we are currently confronting in this country and the world, we can’t afford to be tired, frustrated or cynical. It is important to make your voice heard and your work count. We need to work and earn a victory. In 2016 we didn’t do the work. More than ninety million eligible voters stayed home on Election Day. We have lived with that result for four years and we continue to live with it today.
December 1, 2022
I LOVE the Obama's. Everything about them is classy, intelligent, and eloquent. This was no exception to Michelle Obama's follow up to Becoming. Her writing style and even her speaking (I listened to the audiobook) was so comforting and strong. However, I feel that this second book really paled in comparison with her memoir, Becoming. I think I liked her first book better because it was more anecdotal and gave more of her own personal stories growing up. The Light We Carry felt like a self-help book that wasn't really all that enlightening. The parts I enjoyed most were the more personal aspects, but she did not delve into those stories deeply. The "uncertain times" Michelle Obama refers to is about the pandemic, but I feel like I did not develop a great sense of how the pandemic shaped Michelle and influenced her. Overall, my recommendation is to definitely read Becoming first and if you're a huge fan of the Obamas, give this one a read too.
January 4, 2023
Das Buch hat mich über die Feiertage begleitet und es hätte kein besseres sein können. Michelle Obama offenbart den Leser auf knapp 370 Seiten ihre Gedankengänge, um große Probleme besser bewältigen zu können. Vor allem in Zeiten von Pandemien, Kriegen und/oder persönlichen Krisen ist es wichtig stark zu bleiben. Mit Hilfe von Fähigkeiten zeigt die Autorin anhand ihrer persönlichen Erlebnisse, wie sie es schafft weiterhin ausgeglichen und positiv nach vorne zu schauen. Das heißt natürlich auch, dass es nicht DIE eine Lösung gibt, trotzdem fand ich vor allem ihre ehrlichen und authentischen Reflexionen sehr interessant.
Das Buch ist aus dem amerikanischen Englisch von Astrid Graviert, Norbert Juraschitz, Frank Lachmann, Sabine Reinhardts und Franka Reinhart und liest sich ab der ersten Seite flüssig und sehr angenehm. Unterteilt ist das Buch in drei große Abschnitte, die sehr gut aufeinander aufbauen. Kernfragen sind vor allem: Wie gelingen stabile und aufrichtige Beziehungen? - Was können wir tun, wenn auf einmal alles zu viel wird? - Welche Werkzeuge stehen uns zur Verfügung, um Selbstzweifeln und Hilflosigkeit zu begegnen?
Ein tolles Buch, das ich sehr gern weiterempfehle.
Das Buch ist aus dem amerikanischen Englisch von Astrid Graviert, Norbert Juraschitz, Frank Lachmann, Sabine Reinhardts und Franka Reinhart und liest sich ab der ersten Seite flüssig und sehr angenehm. Unterteilt ist das Buch in drei große Abschnitte, die sehr gut aufeinander aufbauen. Kernfragen sind vor allem: Wie gelingen stabile und aufrichtige Beziehungen? - Was können wir tun, wenn auf einmal alles zu viel wird? - Welche Werkzeuge stehen uns zur Verfügung, um Selbstzweifeln und Hilflosigkeit zu begegnen?
Ein tolles Buch, das ich sehr gern weiterempfehle.
January 6, 2023
I believe that each of us carries a bit of inner brightness, something entirely unique and individual. A flame that's worth protecting. When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it. When we learn to foster what's unique in the people around us, we become better able to build compassionate communities and make meaningful change.
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times ~~ Michelle Obama
Please pardon my gushing review. I love Michelle and Barack Obama. I think she the greatest first lady of my lifetime, and he the greatest president of my lifetime. They are both amazing.
Reading The Light We Carry feels like a best friend has wrapped her arms around me & is giving me a huge hug.
Obama’s new book is part self-help and part memoir. Here, Obama shares personal life stories shared with her readers to give advice to others who might be facing similar challenges in these uncertain times. The Light We Carry is insightful, engagingly written and funny ~~ it is all things Michelle.
Obama shares this ~~ The practice I’ve had in finding and appreciating the light inside other people has become perhaps my most valuable tool for overcoming uncertainty and keeping my hopefulness intact. As one of the brightest lights in America, Michelle Obama helps shine the way for us all along our shared route.
Highly recommended.
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times ~~ Michelle Obama
Please pardon my gushing review. I love Michelle and Barack Obama. I think she the greatest first lady of my lifetime, and he the greatest president of my lifetime. They are both amazing.
Reading The Light We Carry feels like a best friend has wrapped her arms around me & is giving me a huge hug.
Obama’s new book is part self-help and part memoir. Here, Obama shares personal life stories shared with her readers to give advice to others who might be facing similar challenges in these uncertain times. The Light We Carry is insightful, engagingly written and funny ~~ it is all things Michelle.
Obama shares this ~~ The practice I’ve had in finding and appreciating the light inside other people has become perhaps my most valuable tool for overcoming uncertainty and keeping my hopefulness intact. As one of the brightest lights in America, Michelle Obama helps shine the way for us all along our shared route.
Highly recommended.
December 17, 2022
I absolutely loved Michelle Obama's memoir, Becoming, especially listening to her read the audiobook. So I was excited to listen to another book from her which is more of a self-improvement, non-fiction rather than a personal history. Though I will say I was pleasantly surprised that a large portion of this book is still memoir-esque. She takes the reader through 10 different lessons or ideas for how we overcome obstacles in life and embrace the messiness, while relaying stories of her life and using her own experience as examples. I enjoyed this book a lot but I didn't love it, mostly because self-help isn't really my thing. I absolutely would never have read this book if anyone else had written it, but because I enjoy hearing her wisdom and perspective so much it really made the book enjoyable for me. All in all, this is one I'd recommend to people who are looking for a motivational, inspirational self-help with a touch of memoir in it.
December 19, 2023
Be inspired.
“My goal was always to do serious work in a joyful way, to show people what’s possible if we keep choosing to go high,” Obama writes.
In this book she does more. She gives us the tools to show us how we can carry the light from within - and Be more.
Sometimes people expect more because of her presence. But...
Her gift is that she is More. And she reminds us that so are We.
“My goal was always to do serious work in a joyful way, to show people what’s possible if we keep choosing to go high,” Obama writes.
In this book she does more. She gives us the tools to show us how we can carry the light from within - and Be more.
Sometimes people expect more because of her presence. But...
Her gift is that she is More. And she reminds us that so are We.
October 23, 2023
I will always appreciate books that delve into the topics I have wrestled and am currently wrestling with. And Michelle Obama discusses these important things with skill and humor.
January 26, 2023
This wasn’t it for me. It’s very basic advice and info most people know. The stories are already in the zeitgeist. I was disappointed by this.
December 8, 2022
You fall you get up you carry on...
An inspiring and motivating book.
I believe Michelle Obama is one of those people whose mere presence and company would make you feel better no matter how stressed or dejected you feel.
An inspiring and motivating book.
I believe Michelle Obama is one of those people whose mere presence and company would make you feel better no matter how stressed or dejected you feel.
February 19, 2023
so much better than Becoming! I love hearing her insights on life
November 20, 2022
Coming as absolutely zero surprise, I absolutely loved this book. I chose audio because listening to Michelle speak to me is one of the best things ever and feels like a warm hug or a phone conversation with your very favorite aunt. Somehow every single chapter and theme landed at precisely the right time for me to hear it too! I loved it all but the chapters on fear, parenting and going high were my very favorites. I also loved what she had to say about sharing your truth to let others know they aren’t alone. This book isn’t overly political per se but she doesn’t hold back in sharing her thoughts on the president who followed Bararck in the White House - but in complete Michelle Obama style with total class and your mom’s “I’m just disappointed in you, not mad” devastating effect. I immediately purchased a hard copy to add to my Obama forever shelf.
Source: Audible credit
Source: Audible credit
March 15, 2023
Michelle Obama is so inspiring to me! She has achieved so much, yet speaks in such a down to earth way about feeling different, race, gender, being the only one, feelings of alienation and loneliness so many of us contend with, developing friendships, marriage and relationships, feeling fear, and being true to oneself.
She does a great job of describing how having your own toolbox to draw from is so important since that is the way we can get through trying times. We develop skills over time and it is often not easy, but those tools stay with us and can be a great area of strength. It makes us competent and that deflates fear, making it possible to live comfortably fearful. Yes, everyone experiences fear and no, we can not get rid of it, but we can with practice learning to take some risks and know we can try new things even with a certain amount of fear. I felt better just hearing all her experiences and that she was so fearful at different points because she doesn’t appear so.
I liked that she pointed out that it can help to focus on doing something small like knitting that she took up during Covid. This quieted her mind when so much was happening on a large scale all over the world and our minds can become overwhelmed with anxiety, helplessness, and lack of control. So, it can help to do something that is achievable and forces your mind to go stitch by stitch, row by row, until you have made something. I have clinical anxiety and love to knit and have found this to be very true. There are many small things and ideas we practice that help ourselves and the world on a small scale, but put together it can make a huge difference.
She speaks of difference. Her own experiences so many times of being the only black woman in the group. I can see how alienating that would feel. She describes other’s poison thinking as being their problem and how she finds people who do not let that poison sink in and overtake their own feeling of self-worth. She worked hard on doing this herself. We all need to remember to be good to ourselves and value what we have to offer.
It was lovely the way she describes being around children and how one asked for a hug. Then all the children wanted one, but those hugs uplifted her so much, too. Life is better when we care for each other. Children just seek approval and we need to be very careful to cultivate this in them and not be so critical that we burn out the light in them. We do that sometimes and it is necessary to be mindful of this.
Last, Michelle’s famous words, “We Go High” she speaks about. She is clear that Going High does not mean we do not get to feel furious, hurt, or enraged by events that take place. We need to take the time we need to process those feelings. It is not ok for some people to behave as though they deserve more and are better then other people, yet it certainly is happening. She says Going High means to her that you hold onto Integrity, Hope, and Doing the Work necessary to bring about change. Our emotions alone are not going to bring needed changes in our culture. Integrity and Honoring Decency are just always the answer. I could not agree more. We are going to have to all try and probably try again to understand each other, but we can not devolve into people who just work off of hate as a way to live.
Wonderful audio 🎧 book. Excellent Advice and loved listening to Michelle Obama speak her truth. This one I really am glad I used the audio for.
She does a great job of describing how having your own toolbox to draw from is so important since that is the way we can get through trying times. We develop skills over time and it is often not easy, but those tools stay with us and can be a great area of strength. It makes us competent and that deflates fear, making it possible to live comfortably fearful. Yes, everyone experiences fear and no, we can not get rid of it, but we can with practice learning to take some risks and know we can try new things even with a certain amount of fear. I felt better just hearing all her experiences and that she was so fearful at different points because she doesn’t appear so.
I liked that she pointed out that it can help to focus on doing something small like knitting that she took up during Covid. This quieted her mind when so much was happening on a large scale all over the world and our minds can become overwhelmed with anxiety, helplessness, and lack of control. So, it can help to do something that is achievable and forces your mind to go stitch by stitch, row by row, until you have made something. I have clinical anxiety and love to knit and have found this to be very true. There are many small things and ideas we practice that help ourselves and the world on a small scale, but put together it can make a huge difference.
She speaks of difference. Her own experiences so many times of being the only black woman in the group. I can see how alienating that would feel. She describes other’s poison thinking as being their problem and how she finds people who do not let that poison sink in and overtake their own feeling of self-worth. She worked hard on doing this herself. We all need to remember to be good to ourselves and value what we have to offer.
It was lovely the way she describes being around children and how one asked for a hug. Then all the children wanted one, but those hugs uplifted her so much, too. Life is better when we care for each other. Children just seek approval and we need to be very careful to cultivate this in them and not be so critical that we burn out the light in them. We do that sometimes and it is necessary to be mindful of this.
Last, Michelle’s famous words, “We Go High” she speaks about. She is clear that Going High does not mean we do not get to feel furious, hurt, or enraged by events that take place. We need to take the time we need to process those feelings. It is not ok for some people to behave as though they deserve more and are better then other people, yet it certainly is happening. She says Going High means to her that you hold onto Integrity, Hope, and Doing the Work necessary to bring about change. Our emotions alone are not going to bring needed changes in our culture. Integrity and Honoring Decency are just always the answer. I could not agree more. We are going to have to all try and probably try again to understand each other, but we can not devolve into people who just work off of hate as a way to live.
Wonderful audio 🎧 book. Excellent Advice and loved listening to Michelle Obama speak her truth. This one I really am glad I used the audio for.
April 16, 2023
This was an enjoyable read overall and there were several nuggets of wisdom that I took note of. While I didn't feel I was learning anything new I appreciated Michelle's eloquent way of explaining various topics, especially on personal relationships.
For example, I liked the analogy of our homes being an "emotional sandbox" for our children to release their feelings safely. A place for them to learn about their emotions and how to control them in a caring and trusting environment.
She further explains that, we can give our children the "opportunity to be heard and seen. The practice they need to make rational decisions based on meaningful values and the consistency of gladness that they are there."
I also liked her description of the balance of a relationship being "like beads on an abacus sliding back and forth, the math rarely tidy, the equation never quite solved. A relationship is dynamic this way, full of change, always evolving, at no point will both of you feel like things are perfectly fair and equal. Someone will always be adjusting. Someone will always be sacrificing."
Another observation Michelle makes is that "no one person, no one relationship will fill your every need." This is not a revelation for me, rather it is one of the things that I have learned over time. A lot of what Michelle says seems like gift-wrapped common sense.
For example, I liked the analogy of our homes being an "emotional sandbox" for our children to release their feelings safely. A place for them to learn about their emotions and how to control them in a caring and trusting environment.
She further explains that, we can give our children the "opportunity to be heard and seen. The practice they need to make rational decisions based on meaningful values and the consistency of gladness that they are there."
I also liked her description of the balance of a relationship being "like beads on an abacus sliding back and forth, the math rarely tidy, the equation never quite solved. A relationship is dynamic this way, full of change, always evolving, at no point will both of you feel like things are perfectly fair and equal. Someone will always be adjusting. Someone will always be sacrificing."
Another observation Michelle makes is that "no one person, no one relationship will fill your every need." This is not a revelation for me, rather it is one of the things that I have learned over time. A lot of what Michelle says seems like gift-wrapped common sense.
November 26, 2022
Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Michelle Obama (total girl crush) and I was so excited for this book because I absolutely loved Becoming. This book was not Becoming. The messages were very Michelle typical, but it lacked a throughline and often felt disjointed. In some parts it read like a self help book, and in others it just felt like she was recalling a story that didn't necessarily follow the topic. Overall, I'm glad I read it but it won't go on my top recommendation list. 3 stars. #book85of2022 #bookclubgirl
December 8, 2022
love you Miche but this book...did not need to exist
December 20, 2023
'When they go low, we go high'
Audiobook - It was so great to hear Michelle talk/read again. I find her words both calming and thought provoking and wasn't disappointed with this book.
Audiobook - It was so great to hear Michelle talk/read again. I find her words both calming and thought provoking and wasn't disappointed with this book.
November 20, 2022
insightful book from the former 1st lady in her coping mechanisms in these uncertain terms and more background of her family and herself
November 20, 2022
It's sad when people aka trolls are so jealous of a successful Black woman that they rate a book poorly which they haven't even read or if they have they can't justify why they don't like it. I haven't read it yet but I plan to as soon as it's released. And, given all the negative ratings from those who haven't read it, while I haven't read it yet, I'm giving it 5 stars to offset those negative Nellies who have nothing better to do with their time. :( After I read it, I will be back to provide my assessment. Stay tuned!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,702 reviews