It has been a MINUTE since I’ve done a book review. I read too much to keep up with the volume, but didn’t read enough books I loved to waste your time with meaningless content. This is also an attempt at 52 blogs in 52 weeks. So, let’s talk about The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama.

The Book

#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.

My Thoughts

I loved Becoming. It was a lovely book, and it helped me see Michelle and her family as more than the first family. It was beautifully written and lighthearted and the whole shebang.

I’ve had The Light We Carry on my shelves for just about two years now. I don’t know if I was subconsciously saving it, but I’ve been feeling extremely sad and overwhelmed with the current state of the world which means it was the perfect time to read it. Plus, it’s a goal for 2025 that I read one non-fiction book a month. Win win!

THIS BOOK FELT LIKE A WARM HUG.

Somehow, Michelle brought out even more of her personality. It was heartwarming and funny. It made me tear up at certain points and laugh out loud at others. The advice provided is sound. As I was reading it, I was frantically texting everyone I knew that they needed to read The Light We Carry immediately.

I could go so much more in-depth about why I loved it, but I also think a huge part of it was my state of mind. I’ve been looking for this kindness and advice, which means this book resonated with me in a profound way.

If you are a Chump supporter and think he can do no wrong, she does have some issues with his insurrection and felonies and such. (Clearly, these were some of my favorite parts I read.) Personally, I believe she was speaking for the rest of us who find plenty of faults with him.

The Quotes

I’m more often ready with page flags whenever I read nonfiction books. I’m generally anticipating that I’m going to want to refer back to things at a later date. I’ll also say this isn’t all that I flagged. There were entire chapters I will be coming back to.

That’s what tools are for. They help keep us upright and balanced, better able to coexist with uncertainty. They help us deal with flux, to manage when life feels out of control. And they help us continue onward, even while in discomfort, even as we live with our strands exposed.

The Light We Carry, Pages 6-7

In trying to spare yourself the worry and discomfort of taking a risk, you’re potentially causing yourself an opportunity. In clinging only to what you know, you are making your world small. You are robbing yourself of chances to grow.

The Light We Carry, Page 59

Because here’s the thing: Emotions are not plans. They don’t solve problems or right any wrongs. You can feel them–you will feel them, inevitably–but be careful about letting them guide you.

The Light We Carry, Page 276-277

There was also a paragraph in there that was the most perfect explanation of my desire to not be “high-maintenance” or “needy” in a relationship. I had never seen it articulated so well. Honestly, I don’t know anyone who would understand.

While I am so pleased you either read or skimmed your way to the bottom of this blog post, you need to go to the library or Amazon or your local bookstore or wherever you consume your books and get your copy of The Light We Carry as soon as you can. You won’t regret it.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, so I may receive a small commission from sales generated.