Book notes | beautifully written memoir wins praise
Michelle Obama’s memoir, Becoming, is a chronicle of the life experiences that shaped who she has become.
Her memoir begins with reflections on her childhood growing up on the South Side of Chicago. She did not grow up in affluence as many previous first ladies did. Her family lived in a one-bedroom apartment upstairs from her aunt. She describes her childhood as wholesome and talks about how hard her parents worked to support her and her brother. This work ethic became a part of who she is.
She was a successful high school student, but still had to face down doubts of others when her high school counselor told her, “I’m not sure that you’re Princeton material.” She refused to allow this comment to lower her sights. She attended Princeton and for the first time had to adjust to being in a predominantly white and male community.
She pursued a career as a lawyer successfully but left that profession to focus on public service. Her first job after leaving her law firm was as an assistant to Chicago’s Mayor Daley, working with Valerie Jarrett (who later became a top adviser to President Obama). This was the first of several positions that fulfilled Michelle Obama’s need to give back to her community.
It was through her work as a lawyer that she met her husband, Barack Obama. She shares their love story and their struggles in balancing their career goals. She is open about her quest to become a mother and about the challenges of balancing work and parenting
The book group universally praised the book. The memoir was seen as beautifully written and personal. Words to describe Becoming included: honest, inspiring, amazing writing, from the heart.
Group members identified their favorite parts of the book. For some, it was Michelle’s growing-up years on Chicago’s South Side and her descriptions of her parents. Others enjoyed learning about how Michelle met Barack. Some readers identified with the book from their own experiences living in Chicago. The book was seen as being able to inspire readers of a wide range of ages.
—Kathleen Cramer, Book Club member
Book Club to discuss "Becoming"
Fri, Sep 20 2019, 2pm
Members of the UMRA Book Club will meet at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 20, in the 1666 Coffman Building to discuss First Lady Michelle Obama’s memoir, Becoming. Contact Pat Tollefson at [email protected] for more information.
Visit the UMRA website to read a review of the club’s refreshing summer read, A Diary of a Bookseller.
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.