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Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice
What's your journey of becoming? Based on Michelle Obama's bestselling memoir, this gorgeous journal features an intimate and inspiring introduction by the former First Lady and more than 150 inspiring questions and quotes to help you discover-and rediscover-your story.
"It's not about being perfect. It's not about where you get yourself in the end. There's power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there's grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become." - Michelle Obama
In writing Becoming, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama shared her own extraordinary journey to help create space for others to tell their stories and to give people the courage to discover the power of their own voice. With this journal, she now provides you with the encouragement to find value in your own personal journey of becoming. Printed on cream writing paper, with a grosgrain ribbon, foil-stamped cover, and removable half-jacket, Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice includes thought-provoking prompts designed to help you reflect on your personal and family history; your goals, challenges, and dreams; what moves you and brings you hope; and what future you imagine for yourself and your community. Writes Mrs. Obama in the Introduction to the Becoming journal, "I hope you'll use this journal to write down your experiences, thoughts, and feelings, in all their imperfections, and without judgment. . . . We don't have to remember everything. But everything we remember has value."
These pages will help you capture your own voice and journey so you can nurture your sense of belonging. Inside, you'll find an opportunity not only to take heart in the experiences that brought you to where you are today, but also to feel empowered to take those next steps, wherever they might lead.
"It's not about being perfect. It's not about where you get yourself in the end. There's power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there's grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become." - Michelle Obama
In writing Becoming, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama shared her own extraordinary journey to help create space for others to tell their stories and to give people the courage to discover the power of their own voice. With this journal, she now provides you with the encouragement to find value in your own personal journey of becoming. Printed on cream writing paper, with a grosgrain ribbon, foil-stamped cover, and removable half-jacket, Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice includes thought-provoking prompts designed to help you reflect on your personal and family history; your goals, challenges, and dreams; what moves you and brings you hope; and what future you imagine for yourself and your community. Writes Mrs. Obama in the Introduction to the Becoming journal, "I hope you'll use this journal to write down your experiences, thoughts, and feelings, in all their imperfections, and without judgment. . . . We don't have to remember everything. But everything we remember has value."
These pages will help you capture your own voice and journey so you can nurture your sense of belonging. Inside, you'll find an opportunity not only to take heart in the experiences that brought you to where you are today, but also to feel empowered to take those next steps, wherever they might lead.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2019
120 people are currently reading
2268 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Obama
46 books121k followersMichelle Obama served as First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Mrs. Obama started her career as an attorney at the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she met her future husband, Barack Obama. She later worked in the Chicago mayor’s office, at the University of Chicago, and at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Mrs. Obama also founded the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an organization that prepares young people for careers in public service. She is the author of the #1 global bestseller Becoming and the #1 national bestseller American Grown. The Obamas currently live in Washington, D.C., and have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 27, 2025
Was there any doubt that this one would be 5 stars??
If you don't see that your story matters, chances are that no one else will either. So even though it isn't always easy, it's important for you to find the strength to share your truth. Because the world needs to hear it.
If you have NOT read Becoming by Michelle Obama, go out right now and pick up a copy.
It truly was one of my favorite books of the year - such an amazing, and powerful story.
If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's the power of using your own voice.As Michelle Obama was writing her Becoming book, she really had to dig deep into her memories. For some of the years, she had journals to help guide her writing but that wasn't always the case.
She found herself wishing she had written down her moments - the truly important ones - that guided her life.
And with that thought, she began to write this guided journal.
Each page has a new set of prompts and every few pages change theme.
From your most memorable holiday dinners, to favorite moments with mom and dad to the music that shaped your life - Michelle has found a way to include all of those in this short journal.
The only thing I'm hesitating on is filling it out - it's such a pretty journal that I really don't want any mispellings or crossing-outs. (hence, I am pre-writing all of my entries, so I don't make a mistake!)
All in all - I love this!
A huge thank you to Mimi from Goodreads for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
December 17, 2019
Becoming $20 poorer...
Somebody -- Michelle, her agents, publishers, media in general -- are laughing at this nation's suckers and flipping gleefully through piles of cash, having smartly identified and exploited America's platitudinous and infantile "empowerment" culture. Thus, this low-effort money grab.
My mom wanted this "book" for Christmas and after I looked at it at the bookstore I persuaded her that she didn't want it. She enjoyed Michelle's bio from last year and had expected, I suspect, that this would be part two, but literally it's a diary of blank pages with mawkish "inspirational" sayings on the upper page corners of the type you'd find on any cheesy Hallmark card or something from some Christian "bookstore."
If you want to write your own book, or diary, grab a 50-cent notebook and have at it. If you have anything to say at all you won't need anyone else's guidance to express yourself.
-kr/eg '19
Somebody -- Michelle, her agents, publishers, media in general -- are laughing at this nation's suckers and flipping gleefully through piles of cash, having smartly identified and exploited America's platitudinous and infantile "empowerment" culture. Thus, this low-effort money grab.
My mom wanted this "book" for Christmas and after I looked at it at the bookstore I persuaded her that she didn't want it. She enjoyed Michelle's bio from last year and had expected, I suspect, that this would be part two, but literally it's a diary of blank pages with mawkish "inspirational" sayings on the upper page corners of the type you'd find on any cheesy Hallmark card or something from some Christian "bookstore."
If you want to write your own book, or diary, grab a 50-cent notebook and have at it. If you have anything to say at all you won't need anyone else's guidance to express yourself.
-kr/eg '19
December 19, 2019
Thoroughly enjoying this guided journal experience. Each poses a different question in an effort to help you identify your voice. How important is this book for today's world where too often people speak someone's opinion as their own without understanding how their thought has been formulated and cultivated within the larger context of society and acceptance.
December 4, 2019
Lol I haven't even gotten this book back home yet. I'm on the bus writing this review as I've only just bought this book and I'm already in love with it.
Saw it on the Ellen show this week and was chuffed my local Tesco had it in stock.
Really helpful guide and journal for people like me who find writing and keeping a diary difficult and intrusive to a certain extent at times.
Would highly recommend this!
Saw it on the Ellen show this week and was chuffed my local Tesco had it in stock.
Really helpful guide and journal for people like me who find writing and keeping a diary difficult and intrusive to a certain extent at times.
Would highly recommend this!
January 18, 2020
This journal has really helped me heal from past trauma. I have tried journaling before but it was always difficult. The fact that this journal is guided really helps with the writing aspect... there are questions and different chapters which makes it easier to begin writing. If you get stuck you can come back to it later. I've really loved writing in it....
October 29, 2019
This book - like its author - is amazing. Michelle Obama is class personified!
January 1, 2020
One of the reasons I liked this so much is that I listened to the audio book, which she read. I miss these people!
December 2, 2020
As a disclaimer, I stream-of-conscious journal as a way of working through general feelings I don't understand and articulating abstract thoughts to myself. While this is my most common form of journaling, I do enjoy picking up Michelle Obama's guided journal every few stream-of-conscious sessions. The prompts are so different from the tangents I write in my journal. More than "discovering my voice," I think this journal is good for triggering memories long-past; the little things you take for granted that you'll remember (the home you grew up in, a family dinner) but that tends to slip away over time. It's a way to record the history that would fill my journals if I had been writing in them consistently at the time.
If you've journaled your whole life and have small stories like those mentioned above written down, this isn't for you. If you want a journal that will help you reflect on who you are currently, this isn't for you. But if you want the help and a push to remember your past and what made you who you are, this is a great tool.
If you've journaled your whole life and have small stories like those mentioned above written down, this isn't for you. If you want a journal that will help you reflect on who you are currently, this isn't for you. But if you want the help and a push to remember your past and what made you who you are, this is a great tool.
November 19, 2019
Great book, It made me love Michelle even more than I already did
February 28, 2021
Este libro era mi propósito del 2020. El propósito duró hasta mediados de febrero. Una pequeña crisis emocional se atravesó en el proceso de escribir a diario.
Luego llegó la pandemia.
En pandemia hice un curso de escritura terapéutica.
Y sólo después de eso, en octubre, pude retomar este journal.
“Mi historia” de Michelle Obama fue una de mis lecturas más inspiradoras del 2019 y realmente esperaba un poco más de este diario. Sin embargo no deja de ser un bonito ejercicio para pensar en esas cosas importantes de la vida que a veces se nos olvidan o pasamos por alto.
En esas cosas que definen nuestra historia.
Luego llegó la pandemia.
En pandemia hice un curso de escritura terapéutica.
Y sólo después de eso, en octubre, pude retomar este journal.
“Mi historia” de Michelle Obama fue una de mis lecturas más inspiradoras del 2019 y realmente esperaba un poco más de este diario. Sin embargo no deja de ser un bonito ejercicio para pensar en esas cosas importantes de la vida que a veces se nos olvidan o pasamos por alto.
En esas cosas que definen nuestra historia.
May 20, 2020
Not a book, but a nice journal for all the journal, diary keepers. A nice way to reflect on topics that otherwise would be left untouched.
March 8, 2020
- Inspirierendes Ausfüllbuch, das uns dazu einlädt, uns besser kennenzulernen, uns zurückzuerinnern und weiterzuwachsen! -
Inhalt
Übersicht
Einzelband oder Reihe: Einzelband, Sachbuch
Tiere im Buch: + Es werden im Buch keine Tiere verletzt, gequält oder getötet.
Warum dieses Buch?
Mit diesem Buch hat mich der Goldmann-Verlag überrascht, worüber ich mich sehr gefreut habe.
Meine Meinung
Aufbau & Inhalt (5 Lilien)
„Wir müssen uns nicht an alles erinnern. Aber alles, woran wir uns erinnern, ist kostbar.“
Nach einer kurzen Einleitung von Michelle Obama, in der sie uns ermuntert, unsere Gefühle ehrlich und ohne Beschönigungen aufzuschreiben und betont, wie bereichernd es sein kann, zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt im Leben unsere Tagebücher zu lesen und auf die damalige Zeit zurückzublicken, beginnt dann auch schon das eigentliche Ausfüllbuch. Dieses besteht aus inspirierenden Zitaten der Autorin und spannenden Fragen zum eigenen Leben. „Becoming“ lädt ein, sich zurückzuerinnern, seine Gedanken und Gefühle einzuordnen, zu reflektieren, sich besser kennenzulernen und sich weiterzuentwickeln bzw. weiterzuwachsen.
„Wenn ich eine Sache im Leben erkannt habe, dann ist das, wie viel Kraft im Gebrauch der eigenen Stimme liegt."
Ich habe die Biografie von Michelle Obama bisher noch nicht gelesen (was ich aber unbedingt noch tun möchte!) und halte meine Gedanken momentan nicht in einem Tagebuch fest, weswegen ich mir das Buch selbst vermutlich nicht gekauft hätte. Aber sogar mich, die eigentlich nicht zur Zielgruppe dieses Ausfüllbuches gehört, konnte es auf ganzer Linie überzeugen. Die Fragen sind teilweise so ungewöhnlich, spannend und interessant, dass auch ich die meisten davon (zumindest in Gedanken) beantwortet habe. Manche Seiten lösen starke Gefühle in einem aus, weil man sich intensiv an wichtige Momente im Leben zurückerinnert. Mir schien es fast, als würde ich manche davon erneut durchleben.
Ein paar meiner Lieblingsfragen und -aufgaben waren:
„Beschreibe deinen stolzesten Augenblick so detailliert wie nur möglich.“
„Was möchtest du zum Wohl der Welt beitragen? Welchen kleinen Schritt kannst du dieses Jahr tun, um damit voranzukommen?“
„Wer ist der glücklichste Mensch, den du kennst? Was glaubst du, macht dieser Person Freude?“
Besonders gut eignet sich das Buch z. B. für Menschen, die noch nie Tagebuch geschrieben haben und nicht so richtig wissen, wie sie anfangen sollen. Hier können sie vom vorgegebenen Gerüst profitieren, das den Einstieg erheblich erleichtert und viele Fragen beinhaltet, auf die man vermutlich selbst niemals gekommen wäre. Ich werde das Buch auf jeden Fall an eine geeignete Person weitergeben, die an einem Punkt in ihrem Leben ist, an dem sie von diesem Buch sehr profitieren würde.
„Schreiben ist eine Methode, um zu verarbeiten, zu verstehen, zu wachsen und, ja, um sich zu erinnern.“
Feministischer Blickwinkel (5 Lilien ♥)
Michelle ist eine starke, vorbildliche und intelligente Frau und Feministin, was sich auch in ihren inspirierenden Zitaten spiegelt.
Mein Fazit
Dieses Ausfüllbuch besteht aus inspirierenden Zitaten der Autorin und spannenden, interessanten und ungewöhnlichen Fragen zum eigenen Leben. „Becoming“ lädt ein, sich zurückzuerinnern, seine Gedanken und Gefühle einzuordnen, zu reflektieren, sich besser kennenzulernen und sich weiterzuentwickeln bzw. weiterzuwachsen. Sogar mich, die eigentlich nicht zur Zielgruppe dieses Ausfüllbuches gehört, konnte es auf ganzer Linie überzeugen. Daher gibt es von mir auf jeden Fall eine Empfehlung – besonders für Menschen, die noch nie Tagebuch geschrieben haben und daher von einem vorgegebenen Gerüst profitieren können.
Bewertung
Inhalt und Aufbau: 5 Lilien ♥
Feministischer Blickwinkel: 5 Lilien ♥
Insgesamt:
❀❀❀❀❀♥ Lilien
Dieses Buch erhält von mir fünf Lilien und ein Herz und somit den Lieblingsbuchstatus!
Inhalt
Übersicht
Einzelband oder Reihe: Einzelband, Sachbuch
Tiere im Buch: + Es werden im Buch keine Tiere verletzt, gequält oder getötet.
Warum dieses Buch?
Mit diesem Buch hat mich der Goldmann-Verlag überrascht, worüber ich mich sehr gefreut habe.
Meine Meinung
Aufbau & Inhalt (5 Lilien)
„Wir müssen uns nicht an alles erinnern. Aber alles, woran wir uns erinnern, ist kostbar.“
Nach einer kurzen Einleitung von Michelle Obama, in der sie uns ermuntert, unsere Gefühle ehrlich und ohne Beschönigungen aufzuschreiben und betont, wie bereichernd es sein kann, zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt im Leben unsere Tagebücher zu lesen und auf die damalige Zeit zurückzublicken, beginnt dann auch schon das eigentliche Ausfüllbuch. Dieses besteht aus inspirierenden Zitaten der Autorin und spannenden Fragen zum eigenen Leben. „Becoming“ lädt ein, sich zurückzuerinnern, seine Gedanken und Gefühle einzuordnen, zu reflektieren, sich besser kennenzulernen und sich weiterzuentwickeln bzw. weiterzuwachsen.
„Wenn ich eine Sache im Leben erkannt habe, dann ist das, wie viel Kraft im Gebrauch der eigenen Stimme liegt."
Ich habe die Biografie von Michelle Obama bisher noch nicht gelesen (was ich aber unbedingt noch tun möchte!) und halte meine Gedanken momentan nicht in einem Tagebuch fest, weswegen ich mir das Buch selbst vermutlich nicht gekauft hätte. Aber sogar mich, die eigentlich nicht zur Zielgruppe dieses Ausfüllbuches gehört, konnte es auf ganzer Linie überzeugen. Die Fragen sind teilweise so ungewöhnlich, spannend und interessant, dass auch ich die meisten davon (zumindest in Gedanken) beantwortet habe. Manche Seiten lösen starke Gefühle in einem aus, weil man sich intensiv an wichtige Momente im Leben zurückerinnert. Mir schien es fast, als würde ich manche davon erneut durchleben.
Ein paar meiner Lieblingsfragen und -aufgaben waren:
„Beschreibe deinen stolzesten Augenblick so detailliert wie nur möglich.“
„Was möchtest du zum Wohl der Welt beitragen? Welchen kleinen Schritt kannst du dieses Jahr tun, um damit voranzukommen?“
„Wer ist der glücklichste Mensch, den du kennst? Was glaubst du, macht dieser Person Freude?“
Besonders gut eignet sich das Buch z. B. für Menschen, die noch nie Tagebuch geschrieben haben und nicht so richtig wissen, wie sie anfangen sollen. Hier können sie vom vorgegebenen Gerüst profitieren, das den Einstieg erheblich erleichtert und viele Fragen beinhaltet, auf die man vermutlich selbst niemals gekommen wäre. Ich werde das Buch auf jeden Fall an eine geeignete Person weitergeben, die an einem Punkt in ihrem Leben ist, an dem sie von diesem Buch sehr profitieren würde.
„Schreiben ist eine Methode, um zu verarbeiten, zu verstehen, zu wachsen und, ja, um sich zu erinnern.“
Feministischer Blickwinkel (5 Lilien ♥)
Michelle ist eine starke, vorbildliche und intelligente Frau und Feministin, was sich auch in ihren inspirierenden Zitaten spiegelt.
Mein Fazit
Dieses Ausfüllbuch besteht aus inspirierenden Zitaten der Autorin und spannenden, interessanten und ungewöhnlichen Fragen zum eigenen Leben. „Becoming“ lädt ein, sich zurückzuerinnern, seine Gedanken und Gefühle einzuordnen, zu reflektieren, sich besser kennenzulernen und sich weiterzuentwickeln bzw. weiterzuwachsen. Sogar mich, die eigentlich nicht zur Zielgruppe dieses Ausfüllbuches gehört, konnte es auf ganzer Linie überzeugen. Daher gibt es von mir auf jeden Fall eine Empfehlung – besonders für Menschen, die noch nie Tagebuch geschrieben haben und daher von einem vorgegebenen Gerüst profitieren können.
Bewertung
Inhalt und Aufbau: 5 Lilien ♥
Feministischer Blickwinkel: 5 Lilien ♥
Insgesamt:
❀❀❀❀❀♥ Lilien
Dieses Buch erhält von mir fünf Lilien und ein Herz und somit den Lieblingsbuchstatus!
November 2, 2019
Literally is was ok that's it you can see the book is very very crafted to read only what is of public knowledge. Disappointing to me anyway, Nothing new.
December 8, 2022
Im honestly not a fan of the book. It also took me forever to read. But this journal is great. I also think it’s even better for beginner journal people. Because it’s guided. & ask you all the questions that you’ll actually want to write about. & makes you think about all the things that you don’t want to forget. Love the journal. & I’ve bought several for my bookclub memebers. IG: @bwrt.bookclub
December 31, 2020
Loved her memoir - get it on audio with her own narration. In follow up, this journal does exactly what its title promises. Not nearly enough room for the kind of writing I do (write furiously, edit carefully later), but the questions are provocative, well-guided, and just enough to ignite intention.
Great for journaling as one is turning corners in life.
Great for journaling as one is turning corners in life.
January 2, 2021
yeah, i’ve, uh, i’ve got no clue as to why i bought this knowing fully well that i am not the audience for this journal.
i couldn’t even answer a lot of questions because i haven’t lived through them like the audience would.
that’s fully my fault though.
i couldn’t even answer a lot of questions because i haven’t lived through them like the audience would.
that’s fully my fault though.
June 7, 2021
This journal is guiding me to tap into a side of myself I would not have even so much as thought of exploring. As someone who finds journaling challenging and sometimes even intimidating, I am thankful to have received this book as a gift. The journal itself is beautiful too.
March 23, 2022
Although a bit repetitive at times I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written memoir. Michelle beautifully articulated her journey in becoming and gave an intimate insight of life in the white house.
Read
November 17, 2022Great thought-provoking questions and plenty of room to journal. I bought it as a kicking off point for some writing for NaNoWriMo and I've found it a great starting point for deeper thinking on my journey up to this point
April 30, 2020
I listened to it and loved it. So much. A really really good memoir.
May 28, 2020
Tröttnade. Ungefär samma frågor och de flesta kändes riktade till den som haft en sån där drömmig barndom. Tyckte några frågor var intressanta.
June 7, 2020
It’s different, it invites you to think about yourself and your memories.
June 13, 2020
A long childhood section but rushed second term as first lady. Interesting but not without flaws.
December 9, 2020
Îmi place acest jurnal. Este o carte atractivă, curată, plină de întrebări, dar i-am dat 4 steluțe pentru că la unele nu găsesc răspunsurile.
Read
March 29, 2021Absolutely great book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2021
The best journal prompts. Definitely a worthy investment.
August 12, 2022
Becoming
July 24, 2023
Unpaginated journal, has quotes from Michelle Obama's memoir with added writing prompts and activities. Took it on a vacation to Seattle and traded it at a little free library for "Richistan".
August 24, 2024
The best life changer and life saver tool out there. I am BECOMING thanks to Michelle Obama.
Read
December 31, 2019This book is an insight into an amazing woman.
It tells her story from childhood to forging her own career and falling in love with Barack and raising their two daughters in the Whitehouse.
This is an honest inspiring account of Michelle Obama's life which I would recommend.
It tells her story from childhood to forging her own career and falling in love with Barack and raising their two daughters in the Whitehouse.
This is an honest inspiring account of Michelle Obama's life which I would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews