I'm not a huge reader of biographies but with the 2020 election approaching this year I picked up both Michelle Obama's "Becoming" and Barack Obama's "Audacity of Hope", both in audiobook form and read by the authors themselves.

While the latter is interesting, it reads more like a manifesto for someone hoping to run for president, outlining his beliefs and platform. The former is a more interesting read as it was written after the Obama presidency ended; there's no motive here in trying to persuade voters, they already succeeded and that journey is over as she writes this book. As such it comes across as more conversational and candid, and much less political - she says herself she doesn't enjoy politics.

The sweet story of how she met her husband, and the view from inside the presidency as they tried to raise their daughters in something even remotely resembling normalcy while also trying to find time to do some good for the country is touching, particularly so considering the Trump presidency that followed. Every "normal" choice they made, every human touch and moment of compassion, so obviously would never have happened under Trump. Listening to her clear compassion for military vets, how much she clearly adores her husband and daughters, and how often she would visit the hospitals to talk to injured soldiers only emphasizes the contrast between the Obamas and the Trumps. It was both encouraging to hear and deeply depressing - which is why I didn't start listening until after it was clear Biden had won the 2020 election.

If you're interested in the Obama family and how they dealt with their service on a personal level, as normal human beings, this is a very interesting read. If you're after political discussion probably look to Barack Obama's new book instead; this is not political except insofar as the people in it are unavoidably entwined with politics by virtue of who they are.