My Beloved World

Her humanity. Ms. Sotomayer opened herself up with an unflinching candor with the dialog of her life and all it contains for the reader to share her journey, which is truly remarkable. The book navigates the reader through her early childhood, her family, friends, co-workers, and loves unashamedly revealing a story of courage, tenacity and compassion.My eyes were full of tears of joy when, only too soon, her book was done. I wished she were standing in front of me so that I could have hugged her and told her how much I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of listening to her memoir.From her own introduction to Rita Moreno's narration, the "sound" of her story was perfectly in sync with her experiences, taking the reader through an emotional and intellectual experience that hasn't happened to me in a long time.I am a reader of non-fiction primarily and historical figures specifically. My membership permits me to read 2 books a month and I do this with regularity. Some book are informative, some entertaining and some boring, not because the lives of the people were boring, but because there was an imbalance between the message and the delivery.This book has it all. It is rich in personal history and anecdotes, as well as surprises. Ms. Sotomayer is not only a successful attorney and judge. She is, or could have been, a successful psychologist, mentor, teacher, daughter, and family member. Her story and the way in which she has written it demonstrates a humble and grateful brilliant human being. The book is a wonderfully inspirational story for any woman and I am happily buying copies to send to my daughters and granddaughters. Thank you, Ms. Sotomayer for sharing.

The combination of early life recollections of family and experiences with her life as she moves up the educational ladder eventually to reach her position on the Supreme Court of the United States. She has amazing recollections of incidents and her dialog is never wordy or boring.

I think she loved the story herself because she tells it with the inflections and emotions it deserves. With a different narrator it could have lost a great deal of the excitement it had. Rita Moreno does a superb job of narration. The message of this book is inspiring and is meant as thus. That is why the narration cannot falter or the story can be diminished.

I listened to it over a period of 2 days. I rarely read a book so quickly but it grabbed my attention right from the beginning and didn't let me go until the end.

I can say that even though the book was written by an intellectual it was NEVER over my head. The legal-speak was explained and easily understood. And I was always brought back to the main event, the wonderful story of Ms. Sotomayer's life.

I listened to this book in one sitting. It is well written and covers Sotomayor life from childhood to when she is first appointed to the bench. It appears to be as honest as one can be telling her own story. She notes that as a child she inspired to become a lawyer by Robert Kennedy and then saw how the actions of Judges during the Civil Rights battles in the south had major effect on the country, so she then wanted to become a Judge. I was empressed at her ability to concentrate on whatever she was doing. I also noted she pointed out that when in school she felt overhelmed by an assignment or what she had to learn, she broke it down into section and worked her way through section by section. I also noted that in every situation she was in, or person she met, she said to herself what can I learn from this situation or person. I think that is a great attitude. I think that she was open with the reader about the challange she had as a child and an adult living with type 1 diabetes. This could be helpful to other people with chronic diseases. I think it was interesting that in her 30's she stepped back and looked at herself and then set to work on improving her people skills and interaction with family and friend. Not many people will take a hard look at their self and then set about improving their weak areas.. She also stopped smoking and worked on her health and exercise. She got to University and law school on academic scholarships and worked hard to excell at her studies. Instead of going into a large law firm she went to the NY city D.A.'s office to work. She obtained a great deal of trial experice on this job. She also got civil law experience in tradmark work and international law. She also points out how much she learned by serving boards and volunteering with non profit organization. I was impressed with her ability and attitude toward life as well as her intelligents I came into this book neutral and have come away a fan. I will now read all that will become available about Sotomayor.

I really liked getting to know Justice Sotomayor a little. Her life is, and has been, very interesting. She managed to overcome a lot of obstacles a lesser person might have collapsed under. She is tremendously hard working and learned early to recognize her shortcomings and limitations and figure out a way to overcome them. Unlike many very successful people, she doesn't seem invested in being right all the time and therefore she sees what needs to be fixed and usually finds out a way to fix it.

The only reason I gave the performance a four star review instead of five is because I really liked hearing Justice Sotomayor's New York accent when she read the prologue. It sounded so earthy and real. Rita Moreno was good, but I wish she had used that New York accent instead of a neutral American accent.

It's told so candidly that I feel I am right there living the events with everyone involved.

Maya Angelous' books. Native Son. Black Like Me. Other books that give an intimate portrait of a person from a different culture & background from my own.

Sonia Sotomayor

Yes, it made me laugh & cry, as I vicariously experienced the life events of Sotomayor and her family & friends.

Absolutely. This is a compelling listen. Sonia Sotomayor tells her story with such honesty and candor.

When Sonia Sotomayor described her initial lengthy stay in the hospital (after her diagnosis of diabetes) and it culminated in her outburst into tears, at which moment, her usually occupied-with-work mother deftly intervenes with a definitive and commanding "Alright, that's enough!" to the hospital staff. I saw that moment as pivotal. It told me, "Yes, my mother is here for me and yes, she loves me."

I liked the quality of her voice and her diction. I liked that she didn't overemphasize the Spanish words with a heavy Latin accent. She pronounced each word, English and Spanish, with equal precision, authenticity, and clarity.

It made me laugh and cry, but most notably, it made me feel warm inside and it made me feel connected to the author; so in that way, I found it to be tremendously inspiring. I am taking the inspiration that no matter the circumstances into which you are born, you can climb out of it. Yes, it's possible!

I loved that Sonia Sotomayor opened the book with her own voice! That was a like icing on a cake.

My Beloved World is up there in my top five or six audiobooks, along with Angle of Repose; Tim Robbins's The Great Gatsby; Code Name Verity; and Crossing to Safety. I didn't want it to end.

I love Sonia's spirit, her perseverance in spite of all the obstacles she had as a child. I feel as if I really know her - and that's rare for a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. I appreciate that.

Rita Moreno does a fabulous job. I have not heard any of her other readings.

I am so glad Barack Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. I cannot imagine a better choice! Her story is so inspiring, I want every kid to read My Beloved World or listen to it.

Inspiring and reflective. Family is who we are.

When she admits her upbringing left her lacking understanding of certain situations, it was moving.

Sometimes when she changed voice volume, I could not understand her.

If the right doors are opened for you, unlimited potential is yours if you work,work,work.

I have new appreciation for having a voice and perspective as hers on the Supreme Court.

Sonia's over coming a rough childhood.

Sonia of course, the honest way she told her story.

this was a great reading.

That would be great.

Sonia show kids from humble beginning can still become great people of the world.

I don't have the superlatives to describe this audiobook. Sonia Sotomayor's story is interesting and inspiring, and her memoir is beautifully written. As an American, it makes me proud to know she's on the Supreme Court. The narration by Rita Moreno is flawless. The words on the page are brought to loving life by a rhythmic narration, and the Spanish inflections are soft and lovely to listen to.

I listen to a lot of audiobooks of all kinds - this is one of the best I've ever listened to and I expect to listen to it over and over

Rita Moreno did a great job.

Sotomayor really captures growing up in the Bronx in the '60s. Attending Catholic School and being first generation American in an extended Puerto Rican family.

Of course, the author Sonia Sotomayor.

It would be a better listening experience to listen to chapters from beginning to end.