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Read Becoming by Michelle Obama!

I made a commitment to read at least ten books in 2019. Thanks to going off Instagram last month, I managed to finish two books by the end of January. If I can keep up the pace, I’m sure I’ll read more than ten and that’s thrilling!

Considering my commitment to reading, I thought I’d provide a round up of the books that I read each month, in case it could inspire you to pick up a book too.

In January, I read Becoming by Michelle Obama and The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. Luckily, both books left an impact on me and provided food for thought. In this post, I’d like to share my thoughts on Becoming. I’ve shared a brief commentary of The Big Leap on my Goodreads account, if you’re interested. I’m sharing realtime reading lists, ratings, and all that good stuff on Goodreads, so let’s be friends there?


Becoming is not a book about politics although Michelle Obama’s story is obviously interwoven with political experiences. This is a book about a minority woman who grows up poor in South Side, Chicago and turns her life around, defying racial and cultural expectations.

“Since stepping reluctantly into public life, I’ve been held up as the most powerful woman in the world and taken down as the “angry black woman.” I’ve wanted to ask my detractors which part of that phrase matters to them the most–is it “angry” or “black” or “woman?”

All of us have met this brave woman. We may even have been one at some point in our lives–and that’s what makes Becoming accessible and inspirational to the ordinary person. I can’t imagine anybody who won’t benefit from reading it.

I’ve been lucky enough now in my life to meet all sorts of extraordinary and accomplished people. […] What I’ve learned is this: All of them have had doubters. […] The noise doesn’t go away, but the most successful people I know have figured out how to live with it, to lean on the people who believe in them, and to push forward with their goals.

Michelle Obama writes with startling honesty and openness. I’m not a crier but there were parts in her story that ripped my heart open–sometimes because of relatability and other times due to profound admiration for her strength.

“So many of us arrived at college not even aware of what our disadvantages were. You learn only slowly that your peers had been given SAT tutoring or college-caliber teaching in high school or had gone to boarding school and thus weren’t grappling with the difficulties of being away from home for the first time. […] Your world shifts, but you’re asked to adjust and overcome, to play your music the same as everyone else.”

Her prose is free of embellishments; she writes candidly about seeking marriage counseling, the void her family felt due to Barack Obama’s absence during political campaigns, the reality of the biological clock and their fertility issues, as well as the personal attacks she experienced and her coping mechanisms.

“We were all so used to sacrificing for our kids, our spouses, and our work. I had learned through my years of trying to find balance in my life that it was okay to flip priorities and care only for ourselves once in a while.”

I’ve also read Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama and Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton, but my experience of reading Becoming has been far more engaging, meaningful, and heartfelt. I’d recommend this book to anyone and everyone, particularly women born into racial, cultural, financial, or class disadvantages. You’ll love it.

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8 Comments

  1. February 8, 2019 / 06:53

    I listened to her book on Audible and absolutely loved it! She is such a talented writer and speaker. Highly recommend too!

    xo Logan
    https://peculiarporter.com

    • February 8, 2019 / 07:23

      Hi Logan, thanks for sharing about the audiobook! Now I’m tempted to listen to it also. I bet that’d be an experience of its own.

  2. Ankita
    February 19, 2019 / 10:46

    Hi Komal,

    I am so glad I can still read and enjoy your work here on the blog. I am always looking forward to the experiences you share. I started reading ‘Becoming’ last month on Insta upon your recommendation and haven’t been disappointed.

    Ever since you have been off Insta, I wouldn’t lie, there has been a void. I would follow really less but meaningful accounts and yours was one. It’s very difficult to find someone so honest in their views, and actually practicing what they preach, just like you did. When it became too much, you chose to be conscious (wanted to say minimal) of your social networking life as well and THAT is something.

    Wish you good luck 🙂

    • February 21, 2019 / 13:44

      Hi Ankita! Glad to hear you’re enjoying Becoming too! 🙂 Also, thank you for sharing such sweet sentiments. I do miss my thoughtful insta community and it makes my day when you guys leave comments on my blog. 🙂 Sending love and light your way! 💫

  3. February 25, 2019 / 10:00

    Hope you’re doing well! Miss your insta page also. I have to say I don’t follow too many accounts but I always looked forward to your posts. I’m hoping you come back again.

    • February 25, 2019 / 18:21

      That’s kind of you to share—thank you! 🙂 I’m not sure about returning right now. There is so much more time without social media.

  4. Magda
    March 3, 2019 / 15:36

    Love this book so far! What are you planning to read next?

    • March 5, 2019 / 11:58

      Glad to hear that! I’m reading Immortality by Milan Kundera. 😀

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