Book Review: Michelle, a Biography Gives Readers Exclusive Obama Info

"It is so hard to project out realistically what life will be for me as a woman, for me as a mother when Barack becomes president," Michelle Obama said on "Good Morning America."

And as cynical as some critics have made (now First Lady) Michelle Obama out to be, the keyword in the quote above is "when," not "if."

In "Michelle, a Biography" by Liza Mundy, the author details Michelle Obama's contributions to (now President) Barack Obama, from campaigning with him to attending functions to getting the women's votes. Mundy also talks about Michelle Obama's reactions over the years to Barack Obama as an intern, community organizer, senator, and then presidential candidate. Readers find out how Michelle Obama was an integral part in campaigning incidents, like her way of comforting Barack Obama's Deputy Campaign Director, Jeremiah J. Posedel, when Barack Obama said the notorious "Don't ever f-king do that to me again" to him.

Readers find out why Michelle Obama would never leave Barack Obama in charge of goodie bags and why she had no idea about his political aspirations while they were dating.

But the name of the book is "Michelle, a Biography" not "Michelle and Barack," so readers get to learn about the woman beside the man. It's interesting to find out just how opposite these two are-neighborhoods, friends, upbringing, rebellion level.

The stories about Michelle Obama avoiding the pig embryo prank, and her frustration with schoolwork while her brother could carry a book under his arm and pass a test were interesting anecdotes too.

"Michelle, a Biography" also talks about the relationship Michelle Obama had with her brother, Craig, her mother, Marian Robinson, and her close female friends. But what I found most interesting was her views on the South Side of Chicago, "speaking two languages" in school so she wouldn't get her "butt kicked."

The quotes about how Michelle Obama's college roommate's mother trying to get her room switched after finding out Michelle Obama was black raised an eyebrow too. While Barack Obama was constantly questioned about being "black enough," Michelle Obama became especially conscious of her "blackness" at Princeton on 1981. Reading about her progression form college also explained why she turned out to be so independent and opinionated now.

"Michelle, a Biography" was an intriguing read and a page-turner, but some of her opinions on marriage and womanhood bordered from being honest to sounding bitter. That got old really quickly, especially some of her cynicism. However, there were several interviews she did that I'd never heard about and that's what kept me reading. I found the book educational and enlightening, even when I didn't agree with some of her views such as those of how women are the ones who do all the chores, cooking, and cleaning, especially considering I come from a family of male cooks who do laundry as quickly as they go to work. I also thought it was unfair that there was a rule that she could make fun of Barack Obama's housekeeping and fashion habits, but he wasn't permitted to do the same, but that's their marriage, not mine, so all I can do is speculate. If it works for them, as adorable as they are, who am I to disagree?