The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times
What it's about
In this follow-up to her memoir Becoming, Michelle Obama shares the habits, relationships and ways of thinking that have helped her stay hopeful and steady through uncertain times. Drawing on her own life, from childhood in Chicago to the White House and after, she writes about fear, friendship, partnership, parenting and finding your own light.
Why it's worth reading
It spent eight weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It's warm, candid and practical, the closest thing to a conversation with her.
You'll love it if you liked
Becoming, A Promised Land or Greenlights
Good to know
It's more reflection and advice than memoir, so read Becoming first if you want her life story. Many readers enjoy the audiobook, which she reads herself.
Quick answers
Is The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times worth reading?
Yes. It spent eight weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It ranks #307 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 81.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times about?
In this follow-up to her memoir Becoming, Michelle Obama shares the habits, relationships and ways of thinking that have helped her stay hopeful and steady through uncertain times. Drawing on her own life, from childhood in Chicago to the White House and after, she writes about fear, friendship, partnership, parenting and finding your own light.
How long does it take to read The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times?
About 8 hours (318 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times?
If you liked it, try Becoming by Michelle Obama, A Promised Land by Barack Obama or Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey.
By the numbers
- Readers93 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller65 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
#1 New York Times bestseller (8 weeks at #1).
Where it ranks
- #16 of the 85 self-help and business books we rank
- #62 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #56 of the 481 new books we rank
- #307 of the 2,819 books we rank
Bestseller
- #1 New York Times bestseller (8 weeks at #1)
- 38 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2022
Reads as
True story
More by Michelle Obama
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