A Voice Like Mine

by Deb Haaland

Former cabinet secretary, organizer, congresswoman, and New Mexico governor-elect Deb Haaland shares her story, offering a powerful and personal look at what it means to be “the first.”

Nothing about Deb Haaland’s upbringing or family history set her up for a life of the first Native American woman elected to chair a state political party in the United States, one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress, the first Native American to serve in a presidential cabinet. A thirty-fifth-generation New Mexican and member of the Pueblo of Laguna, Haaland has lived a remarkable life shaped by poverty, alcoholism, and single parenthood. After a late but meteoric rise in politics, she stepped down from her cabinet position as secretary of the interior in January 2025 to run for governor of New Mexico in the 2026 election.

In A Voice Like Mine—titled after Haaland’s congressional campaign slogan, “Congress has never heard a voice like mine”—she shares the personal history that inspired her courage to organize, run for office, and be a leader. She tells the stories that have defined her life in politics and beyond, from working in her grandfather’s cornfield to fighting for change in the halls of Washington, DC. Throughout her journey, Haaland has drawn on her heritage in her activism and service, leading with humility, purpose, and a commitment to “leave the ladder down” for those who follow.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, Indigenous, Biography, Audiobook, History

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2026

Reviews

[Michael Burke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Moving Portrait, A Missing Record

Deb Haaland’s memoir, “A Voice Like Mine,” paints a portrait of a truly remarkable woman whose life has been defined by resilience and service. Unfortunately, it falls short of providing a truly insightful or comprehensive political record. Her narrative arc—stretching from an upbringing steeped in the traditions of the Pueblo of Laguna to her historic appointment as the first Native American cabinet secretary—is deeply moving. Haaland addresses her personal hurdles, such as alcoholism and poverty and presents her journey toward sobriety as evidence of her steadfast resolve. Her deep commitment to community, her heritage, and her “leave the ladder down” philosophy shines through every chapter, making it easy to align with her progressive political beliefs and her fierce advocacy for marginalized voices.

While the memoir effectively highlights the enduring trauma of boarding schools and her steadfast environmental commitment, it is not without its flaws. Haaland is running for office, and a primary weakness lies in the narrative's tendency to sidestep political friction. The narrative lacks a deep dive into the criticisms of her opponents or a thorough rebuttal to the resistance she faced as her political career surged. Notably, the text fails to address the controversial $8 billion "Willow Project" in Alaska. Despite her earlier stance of opposition in Congress, Haaland drew sharp criticism for not showing any resistance to this Biden administration oil drilling venture during her tenure as Secretary of the Interior—a silence that stands in stark contrast to her recounted support for activists at Standing Rock. The lack of comment on Willow is especially notable given that Native American tribes in the Southwest (her home region) were also closely monitoring the project, particularly due to concerns about potential implications for culturally significant areas like the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. This omission contradicts her stated values of "deep commitment to community, her heritage, and her ‘leave the ladder down’ philosophy". Here “A Voice Like Mine” is silent when it needs to be raised.

There is a tension between the memoir's strengths and weaknesses. While its choice to steer clear of political friction allows it to flourish as an intimate narrative of determination—serving as a powerful reflection of her spirit and objectives— regrettably, it does not deliver a particularly profound or thorough account of her political career. Ultimately, the memoir's profound omission of critical political events sacrifices what could have been a definitive record into a missed opportunity.

Thank you to Henry Holt & Company and to NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. “A Voice Like Mine” will be published June 9, 2026. #AVoiceLikeMine #NetGalley

[Lorna · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A Voice Like Mine is a beautiful memoir by the now governor-elect of New Mexico, Deb Haaland, as she shares her story. She is a thirty-fifth generation New Mexican and a member of the Pueblo of Laguna. Her connections to the land are undeniable, but as she acknowledges, so, too, are those of many across the state of New Mexico whose families have been there for centuries. After serving in President Joe Biden’s administration as Secretary of the Interior, she returned to Albuquerque that chilly January day in 2025, knowing that she was fired up to defend her beautiful state against the chaos of the second Trump administration. She spoke to friends about running for governor of New Mexico, and jumped immediately into the fight against Trump’s ignorance about climate change, his cuts to the Veterans Administration, his tax giveaways for billionaires, and his evisceration of Medicaid and SNAP—programs that helped Haaland and thousands of other New Mexicans raise their children. With that, she launched her gubernatorial campaign in February 2025.

This is a very personal journey as Deb Haaland has led a very remarkable life shaped by poverty, alcoholism, and single parenthood. It has also been shaped by firsts. Nothing about her upbringing or family history set her up for being the first Native American woman to chair a major political party in the United States; one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress; and the first Native American woman to serve in a Presidential Cabinet. Deb Haaland has drawn on her heritage in her activism and service, leading with humility and purpose throughout her journey.

And there are delightful family New Mexican recipes scattered throughout the book, such as Mexican green chili posole. Congratulations to Deb Haaland in her election to the governorship of New Mexico. As a frequent visitor to the Land of Enchantment, I will be secure in the knowledge that it is in good, steady, and thoughtful hands.

“Laguna is one of the handful of Indian pueblos in New Mexico that survived the Spanish and US governments’ attempts at colonization.”

“Corn is a foundational crop of the Pueblo Indians, and my ancestors were some of our country’s first agriculturists, planting the ‘three sisters,’ corn, beans, and squash, in the quiet valleys and subtle canyons of places like Gran Quivira, Chaco Canyon, and Pecos Pueblo in New Mexico and Bears Ears in Utah.”

“I’m here because my ancestors believed that living another day was worth my life. Giving is like receiving, and above all else, staying on the land our Mother beckoned us to, so many centuries ago, was her plan, not ours; the obligation works both ways.”

“After serving my country as a congresswoman and traveling thousands of miles to the farthest edges of our country as cabinet secretary, there are still days when I marvel at the beauty of New Mexico. When the sun sets behind a mountain range, painting the sky in rich oranges and reds, or when I’m running in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, I feel deeply grateful. That gratitude compels me to safeguard our culture and history, to protect what we have built over centuries, and to pass it on to future generations.”

[Victoria Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was extremely excited to receive an ARC of “A Voice Like Mine.” When I saw that Deb Haaland had written a memoir, I immediately requested the copy. I had not followed her career up until she was working in the Biden administration, but I remember being incredibly excited to see her be nominated to head the Department of the Interior.

I loved reading about her years growing up, and hearing the stories of the foods her family would make together and all of the lessons that she learned in sustainability. The chapter “Soul Food” was undoubtedly my favorite. She brought life to the Puebla recipes of her youth, and even scattered a few recipes throughout the book as well. Also enjoyable to read was the story of her relationship with sobriety, and learning about what made her work to get sober and maintain it.

My only complaint about this book is that I wish it was divided into three separate books. I would have loved to see a memoir of growing up in Puebla culture, a memoir of her sober journey, and a memoir of her life as Secretary of the Interior. She has lived such a complex life that I think having plenty of time to delve into each of her experiences would have been so fascinating to read. As it was, I enjoyed reading all that she did write, and I just wish there had been more space for deep introspection in her experiences.

This is without a doubt a story worth reading, and I recommend checking it out from the library to anybody who loves memoirs.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for a free ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.

[Annotations&Air · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many other early reviewers, I was thrilled to see Deb Haaland’s book and even happier to have the chance to read it in advance of publication.

I suppose the disappointment I feel is my own fault.

The book largely feels like what it probably is, a campaign piece for her gubernatorial race. It is an oversimplified narrative of a complex personal and political life.

Ms. Haaland’s approach to discussing her Indigenous heritage is clunky and often confusing. She places great emphasis on the military service of her family, yet fails to acknowledge the obvious parallels between her father’s role in occupying Vietnam and his family’s role as immigrant colonizers.

She conducts quick and unclear analyses of her own traumas with odd attributions. There are pages dedicated to recipes and discussing how chores are completed, yet her movement through her formative college years when her politics were developing are glossed over. These could all be failures in editing, which only the final copy will show.

I will support her campaign but the book is not the voice it could have been. Thank you to Henry Holt for the opportunity to review.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational. Truth-telling, and there needs to be more voices like hers.

We've been waiting for her . . .a path-maker.

*A sincere thank you to Deb Haaland, Henry Holt & Company, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #AVoiceLikeMine #NetGalley 26|52:41k

[Gary Anderson]

Before becoming the first Native American cabinet secretary in U.S. history, Deb Haaland's fascinating life began as the daughter of a Pueblo Indian mother and a second-generation Norwegian father. Raised in the military, Haaland moved a lot and attended many different schools, all while maintaining roots in New Mexico’s Native American culture.

The first half of A Voice Like Mine is Haaland’s recounting of her life before public office. After childhood, she became an expert cook, marathon runner, poet, single mother, and political organizer. The second half of the book describes how her activism led to being elected to Congress twice, followed by appointment as Secretary of the Interior under President Biden. Deb Haaland is currently the leading candidate for Governor of New Mexico.

Beyond her resume, Haaland’s story shows how core values of family, hard work, respect for nature, and cultural connections served her in times of personal struggle, politics, and public service.

The audio version of A Voice Like Mine is narrated by Deb Haaland. Haaland narrates with a conversational warmth that makes the memoir feel personal, while moments of emotion give the performance added authenticity. Haaland is a talented storyteller who lets her narrative breathe by including her poems and traditional Native recipes.

Thanks to Libro.fm for early access to this title by an important, compelling American leader.

[Clay H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational story. Fierce activist and Interior Secretary. She will be a fantastic Governor of New Mexico. Definitely recommend.

[Beth Given · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deb Haaland made history this week as the first Native American woman elected as a governor in the United States. In her political memoir, she recounts her childhood as a granddaughter to a Laguna Pueblo matriarch in New Mexico and the daughter of a marine of Norwegian descent. Because of her father's military service, she spent time in both the rural deserts of Arizona and New Mexico as well as the coastal towns of southern California. She learned to cook from her grandmother and worked in a bakery for several years, but in her late twenties, she pivoted to attend college at the University of New Mexico. As a recovering alcoholic and a single mother, she relied on government programs for financial assistance. She spent years working for the Democrat party in New Mexico by registering voters (particularly rural, Native voters), campaigning for candidates, and becoming a delegate. She graduated from law school, and while she did not pass the bar exam, she did not let her failure define her: Haaland went on to become one of the first Native women to serve in Congress (Sharice Davids of Kansas was elected simultaneously). Then she was appointed as Secretary of the Interior under Biden -- the first Native American to serve in that position -- and, this week, was elected as governor of New Mexico.

While I have lived in several states (Utah, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, California), I feel especially fond of northern New Mexico, as I spent some formative years there. As a young child in San Juan County (near Shiprock and Gallup) and in the shadows of the Jemez Mountains as a teenager, I know why they call New Mexico the "Land of Enchantment." The indigenous people have brought so much richness to the culture of that part of the country, and I loved reading about it from Haaland's eyes. She is a talented cook and baker and her descriptions of green chile stew and biscochitos had me hungry and nostalgic. (Haaland even includes recipes!)

I was inspired by reading about her descriptions of the land and nature in our country. This respect for our earth is something that indigenous people share, something our capitalistic society often forgets.

Along with treating our lands with respect, I'm inspired by the way Haaland respects people -- whether it's knocking doors in the beautiful, tiny town of Taos or muting a man at a virtual town hall that chose to drop an f-bomb (because sometimes respecting people means protecting her audience from violent bullies).

This does read like a political memoir, framing Haaland in a flattering light to further her political campaign, but I still enjoyed her story and found it inspiring. I'm astonished at her work ethic and excited for her governorship in a neighboring state.


Thanks to the ALC from Libro.fm.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Sigh. Look--not everyone needs to write a memoir. Especially public figures who are U.S. politicians, first and foremost.

Though Haaland may be the first Indigenous person to hold the position of Secretary of the Interior, she is no LandBack progressive. Instead, she is very much an Establishment Democrat: she repeatedly highlights her family history in the U.S. military and her attempts to fight for equal rights by making it easier for women to, um, join and stay in the military (Rafia Zakaria calls this "securofeminism") and thus continue to oppress and subdue people of the Global Majority. She talks about her mission to "serve the people," but does not question the fact that the very governing system she is a part of does not serve the people.

I did not finish this feeling hopeful about the future of the U.S., if the future is directed by people who believe that Obama and Hillary Clinton are the best the Democratic Party can offer. Haaland's memoir didn't tell me anything new about the field of U.S. politics, and instead feels like a box she can check off in her campaign to be elected Governor of New Mexico. If she becomes the next NM governor, I'm sure she will be better than the Republican candidate, but expect that nothing much will really change, as I don't get a sense of anything progressive in her beliefs and campaign promises.

[The Lady Anna · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

This is barely 3 stars. The author wanted her voice to be heard, and I listened, but this book just wasn't written very well. It's kind of a list of memories, without going into depth about any issues or history. She did have struggles, but also had a lot of privilege - I wouldn't say she represents many Native Americans in that regard. I'll write more later, but this just wasn't great.

[Ashley G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly inspiring woman

[Leah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m biased but this woman rocks!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can’t blame her cuz she was trying to get elected but this felt like the heavily redacted version of a more interesting and nuanced book.

[Eduardo Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously a humblebrag timed to boost her campaign, but in fairness she does have much to brag about. Haaland’s accomplishments are impressive, her path to achieving them even more so, yet her voice is consistently matter-of-fact: not boastful nor humble nor faux-humble. She offers a candid picture of her background, struggles, and motivations. Her work ethic and grit are incomparable, as are her collaboration and listening skills. What’s missing is vision, and that troubles me greatly as we head into November. But let’s not go there now.

Not fine literature nor tension-filled, but I'm glad to have read this and to have learned more about who I fervently hope will be our next Governor.

[Meredith Pettigrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from a Goodreads giveaway. I was excited to read it because I attend a function in which she was the speaker while she was secretary of the interior and I found her history fascinating. Good, quick read

[Loring Wirbel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not one for reading memoirs, and memoirs from politicians have the least appeal of all for me. When a memoir is released as an adjunct to running for a particular political office (Haaland wants to be governor of New Mexico in 2026), it somehow seems even more opportunistic. So why do I find this memoir so compelling and fun to read?

First, Haaland is from the Laguna Pueblo, and when I lived in New Mexico, I spent a fair amount of time around the Laguna and Acoma Pueblos west of Albuquerque. So the surrounding seemed familiar, though Haaland's constant moves as a military child, and her years in California and Virginia, threw a little chaos into that familiarity. Second, she spends as much time talking about her adolescent years being a wild child and learning how to bake, as she does talking about political policies. Third, her experience raising a gay daughter resonates with my own experience.

But the most important aspect of this book is that Haaland treats topics like her Alcoholics Anonymous experience, and her introduction to marathon running, as elements that were as defining to her personality as her election to the U.S. House of Representatives, and her later appointment to Secretary of the Interior under Biden. Some career politicians struggle to define their lives outside of political races; Haaland considers her political career to be just one facet among many. In fact, during her years in Biden's cabinet, she cited her running of the Boston and Canyon de Chelly marathons as milestones to equal those she did in visiting critical nature sites under the management of Interior. Be assured, Haaland is an environmentalist with deep roots stemming in part from her Native American heritage - in fact, she was at the Standing Rock water protests in 2015. But she wants her readers to know that all these aspects inform her character. (The fact that she prints New Mexico recipes indicates how much her years as a bakery chef gave her a love of cooking food.)

The only element that was a little disappointing was how quickly her four years as a Representative, and the succeeding four years as a cabinet secretary, flew by. Part of this may be the result of wanting to emphasize her personnas outside politics, but part may be a rushing to get a memoir out before the 2026 gubernatorial race. I would have appreciated more discussion of her accomplishments in both offices, and there were plenty. I also would have liked it if she shared her own insights as to what pulled people to rightist populism. New Mexico did not fall victim to MAGA culture to a great degree. But because she understood rural cultures from a Pueblo Indian, Hispanic, and white perspective, it would have been interesting to hear her opine as to how Trumpism ever found a place to grow and thrive. In any event, Haaland's life has been interesting and kaleidoscopic enough to deserve a memoir that ought to be read by many.

[brewdy_reader]

Thank you to Henry Holt and MacMillan Audio for the complimentary review copies.

“Congress has never heard a voice like mine…”

Grateful to listen to this one narrated by Deb Haaland herself at this momentous time. Although the pacing varied making for a bit of an uneven tone where some portions were more gripping than others, I gladly listened to her story. Proud of her and proud to be a New Mexican!

I don’t rate memoirs with a star ⭐️ rating. I would recommend this to people who are interested in Deb’s history…
but I also hope she writes another one someday that goes deeper as this one stays more surface level biographical, with a limited amount of personal reflection (in particular the back half).

[Jane · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I’m very glad I read this brutally honest memoir, because I knew nothing about Deb Haaland. It’s a fast read and there’s a lot the reader can learn from it. The writing style is a bit lacking, but the story is not! Haaland overcame many obstacles in her life, and I’m very glad she shared her story.

I congratulate her on becoming the first Native American woman to be elected governor in American history!

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew little about Ms. Haaland going into this book; I knew *OF* her from her work with President Biden during his time in the White House, and enjoyed listening to her speak when she gave press conferences or spoke at meetings, so I thought this was a good way to learn more about her.

Unfortunately, this memoir, while engaging in parts [her mixed heritage is absolutely fascinating, and her love of the land is admirable], fell flat for me overall. It felt jumbled in sections [and the recipes, while fun, were an odd choice IMO as I felt it really took you out of the story], and I felt [this is just my take on how it felt as I listened] that there were sections where she had written more but it was eventually edited out and that left a less-than cohesive story. I just kept thinking that there MUST be something missing as some of the things she was writing about just never had a full end.

While some of this IS interesting, I don't feel like I know Ms. Haaland any better than before. I was expecting more and am left vaguely disappointed.

I will say that the audiobook narration is excellent. Narrated by Ms. Haaland herself, she does an excellent job telling her story and I enjoyed how the emotions flowed freely with the story [her laugh is genuinely contagious and I found myself chuckling along with her at times]. Even though the book wasn't a huge hit with me, I am sure others will really enjoy it and I can honestly fully recommend this excellent audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley, Deb Haaland, Henry Holt & Company and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited to see A Voice Like Mine as an ARC option, particularly because Deb Haaland has always had a really distinct voice for this time in American politics.
I appreciated that Haalands voice stayed intentional and direct throughout the story, how her heritage stayed with her throughout her wins and losses, through her communications with her constituents, and in how she takes her next steps. Speaking of next steps, it does feel a little bit like this whole book is laying groundwork for her next run, and it might be, but I don’t think I mind that so much. Even if this is groundwork, her platform, history, and the way she creates accessibility for a marginalized community that has never had that, is something to be rewarded, acknowledged, and highlighted.
The pacing of the book was a little all over the place and some of it went from an introspective point of view to speaking on more of a grand scale, that came off a little jarring when it would happen. Some instances of this were her struggles with alcoholism, the birth of her daughter, her divorce. We learned more about her plan and execution of running a marathon than we did about any of those.
Overall, this was a refreshing new voice in American politics and I’m here for it.
A Voice like Mine is due to be published June 9, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review. As this is an advanced copy, some

[Jacquelyn Fusco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of books by politicians because I think of them as an extended commercial advertising them, but I like Deb Haaland and she's done and tried to do important things. This book was not uninteresting, and I was impressed with her.
I found it to be honest and straightforward.
She is the opposite of me in that she is always doing something, and I feel like I never do anything. I studied Political Science and Sociology and have an MPA. I am not naive, but I honestly believe in this woman's values and her commitment to them. That doesn't mean I will be surprised if she makes a disappointing vote or something, our government is messed up and she may need to make difficult compromises, but I would vote for her if I were in New Mexico.
I also support #LandBack, so the more Native people in office, the better! (I am Italian-American.)

[Phillipsbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew of Deb but never knew of her story. This book was such a pleasure to be able to hear and enjoy. Deb was immensely transparent and authentic throughout the entire journey with the readers/listeners. I am so proud of Deb and everything that she has accomplished. Putting service above self is something that is truly admirable. I would highly recommend this story to any one on either side of the political spectrum.

A Voice like Mine is due to be published June 9, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.

[Paula Korelitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vivid memoir tracing how Haaland's formative years shaped the woman and leader she would become. She writes with unflinching honesty about her struggles with alcohol and two failed marriages, while charting her gradual rise through politics to make history as the first Native American presidential cabinet member, serving as Secretary of the Interior.

Woven throughout are selections of her poetry and traditional Indigenous recipes, giving the book a richly personal texture beyond the political narrative.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would 100% go for a run with Deb. She is such a cool person! It took real guts and a complete jump of trust to move through the ranks and accept the honor to be the first Native American women elected to a state political party in the US.
I loved hearing her story and hearing her passion for her family, you can tell she really draws on those around her to trust in her instincts and stick to her guns. I admire her so much, I hope there are many who follow in her footsteps because she is a trailblazer! I also cannot wait to make the recipes she had in the book!

[Ronnica Fatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting memoir highlighting the importance of inclusion in politics, particularly the inclusion of indigenous peoples. Our country is stronger when we platform people from marginalized backgrounds.

[Matt Heavner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great memoir - lots I didn't know about Deb Haaland's background. It made me even more hopeful that she will be the next governor of New Mexico! A really good memoir even without the latest political ambitions.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Voice I’m Glad I Discovered 📚💛

I’m grateful that Goodreads’ November reading challenge featuring Indigenous authors led me to A Voice Like Mine by Deb Haaland. I knew very little about her before picking up this memoir, and I came away with tremendous respect for her and her dedication to public service.

Haaland takes readers through her family history, her experience as a single mother, attending law school later in life, and her path into public service. Her writing feels approachable and sincere, almost like listening to someone tell you their story. My background is very different from hers, but she helped me understand her experiences and the issues she cares about. That’s something I value in a memoir: the opportunity to better understand someone else’s life.

The sections about Native American boarding schools were especially heartbreaking. Children were taken from their families in an effort to erase their languages, cultures, and identities, and some never returned home. Haaland helps readers understand how that pain has carried through generations, including in her own family. Learning about President Biden’s formal apology in 2024 brought home how long overdue that acknowledgment was. These are painful stories, but telling them matters if we’re going to learn and do better.

On a more personal note, I loved her enthusiasm for cooking and baking, and the recipes woven into the book. I remember being told that women shouldn’t bring homemade treats to work if they wanted to be taken seriously. It was refreshing to read about a woman who embraces something she enjoys as a way to care for others. I’m not a great cook myself, but I firmly believe in being true to who you are, and that part of her story really resonated with me. Her dedication to running was impressive, too. I can’t imagine running that far!

What kept this from being a five-star read was that some significant parts of her personal story passed by too quickly for me. She touches on relationships, marriage, and becoming a single mother, but I sometimes wanted more context to understand those transitions. I also would have appreciated more about her ongoing experience of recovery from alcoholism—what has helped her maintain her sobriety and navigate difficult times. That perspective could be meaningful to readers facing similar struggles.

I respect that some experiences may be too personal to share, and no memoir owes readers every detail. Still, I occasionally felt that I was just beginning to understand an important part of her life when the story moved on.

I finished this book admiring Haaland’s determination, compassion, and commitment to her community. Knowing more about her journey makes her election as New Mexico’s next governor especially exciting to me. Most of all, I appreciated the reminder that caring for others and being fully yourself have a place in leadership.

[Annabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into A Voice Like Mine knowing absolutely nothing about Deb Haaland so this was just an introduction to her life and her achievements. I didn't realise that she was one of the first Native American women to serve in Congress, and therefore, learning more about her background and heritage was genuinely interesting.

The early chapters were easily my favourite. Haaland's writing about her upbringing, her grandparents, along with her connection to her Native American heritage, land and culture felt particularly grounded. There is something quite lovely about these chapters, especially the way she brought her family memories and traditions to life. I found myself wanting to read more about these parts of her life, as they gave me a much better sense of who she is outside of politics.

I was also impressed by her willingness to acknowledge aspects of her life that many politically ambitious people might prefer to leave out. Her struggles with school, alcoholism and raising her daughter as a single parent made her feel refreshingly different from the politicians we often hear about. These admissions gave the book some of its most interesting and human moments. However, I often felt that these subjects were only touched upon before the narrative moved on. Of course, I don't think every private thought or experience needs to be revealed but a little more continuity would have helped me feel more connected to Haaland as a person. In particular, there are some fairly significant gaps, making parts of her life feel surface level, I struggled to understand more about her experiences with alcoholism and her relationships (or the apparent absence of them).

The structure also made it difficult for me to become fully immersed. Some chapters felt disjointed, ended rather abruptly or jumped between different periods without always providing enough context. The recipes were also a fun addition but I did find them a little out of place within the narrative. Perhaps they would have worked better collected together at the end, as they occasionally interrupted the flow of her story.

Interestingly, I read this just before the election for the next Governor of New Mexico, which was an unplanned coincidence! Annoyingly, it did make me question how much the book was shaped by her political ambitions and whether some of the narrative was intended to support her ongoing public image. Maybe her memoir should have been written way after this campaign trail so we can have an authentic insight into her life beyond politics!

[Jackie Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memoirs are difficult for me to review as I feel hesitant to criticize someone’s life story on paper. I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. I loved hearing about Deb’s childhood living with her grandparents, their Laguna culture and even her family’s many moves as a military family. Where this book fell flat for me was when she began to talk about her political career.

This book reads as cautious and pragmatic. It seems like she is holding back on her experiences and opinions on various topics. There were many abrupt transitions, particularly pertaining to her sobriety, campaigns and political positions. It feels like much was edited out to not rock the boat too much. I imagine that if Deb Haaland were not running for governor of New Mexico, we would see her take harder stances on some of the issues that she only scrapes the surface of in this book. To the reader, the later half of this book oscillates between reading like a Thank You card, a pamphlet at a historical site, and a campaign website.

When you are someone like Deb, who has been the 1st at the table in many of the rooms she is in, you don’t have the privilege to always speak loudly and boldly. I get it. It is not as easy to rock the boat when so much is already at stake. I do hope that in the future when she retires she considers writing another book. Her voice is important and I think there is a lot more that she could say…

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book so may be reading would have been better. Deb narrated the book. I felt like I was in school when a teacher asked a student to read a passage. Very monotone. Chapter 19 there was finally some inflection in her voice.

I had a hard time also following the storyline. She would be talking about something (like another move) and then talk about visiting grandma years before or after. I found it hard to follow along.

I did enjoy learning more about her life prior to being the Secretary of the Interior and the things she accomplished while in office. She is missed!

Congratulations on the Governorship.