The Light We Carry

Overcoming in Uncertain Times

By: Michelle Obama

Narrated by: Michelle Obama

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER • In an inspiring follow-up to her acclaimed memoir Becoming, former First Lady Michelle Obama shares practical wisdom and powerful strategies for staying hopeful and balanced in today’s highly uncertain world.

There may be no tidy solutions or pithy answers to life’s big challenges, but Michelle Obama believes that we can all locate and lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux. In The Light We Carry, she opens a frank and honest dialogue with readers, considering the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What tools do we use to address feelings of self-doubt or helplessness? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much?

Michelle Obama offers listeners a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles—the earned wisdom that helps her continue to “become.” She details her most valuable practices, like “starting kind,” “going high,” and assembling a “kitchen table” of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging listeners to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness.

“When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it,” writes Michelle Obama. A rewarding blend of powerful stories and profound advice that will ignite conversation, The Light We Carry inspires listeners to examine their own lives, identify their sources of gladness, and connect meaningfully in a turbulent world.

©2022 Random House Group (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A deeply personal and hugely inspirational exploration of ‘what keeps us upright in the face of uncertainty . . .’ In other words, perfect for now.”—O Quarterly

“Reaffirming . . . What makes the book special is that it builds on parts of Becoming, and [Michelle] Obama serves as mentor and guide.”—The Washington Post

“Though Obama makes it clear she still struggles with plenty of self-doubt and doesn’t have all the answers, she provides a pretty thorough road map to living a fuller, kinder, better life.”—USA Today

Must read !!!

Michelle Obama bares her struggles and shares the wisdom of how she has learned to manage the difficulties and uncertainties of life. It is also a homage to her wise and down to earth parents. She does a heartfelt job reading it, which adds so much. She articulates how difficult it has been between pandemic and the direction the country went in with 45. I want to share it with all my girlfriends . It is a service to the country! Wise and heartfelt.

Great encouragement

Encourage the youth and you will see a better future. I was encouraged by our former First Lady Michelle who delivered on the hype. I enjoyed the intermingled personal stories of those around her. I enjoyed listening to her giving a piece of herself to us. I think her vulnerability is a definite strength.

Always go high

Thoughtful, inspiring, warm and humorous! Michelle Obama in her element, sharing her wisdom and gladness with us to strive for better, for ourselves and all around us!

Amazing book

I loved this book maybe even more than Becoming. Michelle is an amazing writer and speaker. I am definitely a fan of her work.

My favorite Michelle Obama book

I absolutely love this book. It is filled with so much wisdom, advice, and encouragement. She opens up so many views into her life and it was refreshing to hear that someone like her has felt many of the same feelings that I have. I didn’t want this book to end. I could listen to her for hours.

Real Talk

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. It provided many practical insights & applicable life lessons for relationships, general preparedness, navigating bigotry, racism, raising children and more!

Great life lessons

It was story-telling with a “self help” vibe. She’s a fantastic human and I’ve enjoyed listening to her.

Hooked to the very end!

Michelle did a great job with narrating our daily lives! Very eloquent. It’s a must listen!

Good read and good lessons

The Light We Carry is a book worth your time. It has good messages, lessons, and insight as to what it was like and how to be a good person and raise good people. Mrs Obama’s perspective is really great to hear.

Such a great listen! Highly recommend!

This was simply an amazing read. And listening to Obama narrate it herself makes it even more enjoyable!!