The Light We Carry

Overcoming in Uncertain Times

By: Michelle Obama

Narrated by: Michelle Obama

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

2024 Grammy® Award Winner • #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 listeners, 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

This Little Light of Mine

I couldn't stop listening to this book today! I am in awe of the vastness of the space in this book.

Space to mourn the losses, big and small that we have experienced in a global pandemic. Space to weep over the choices we have made as a country.

Space to give ourselves and others grace, love and understanding.

Space to cultivate a garden of hope from the tiny choices we have the power to make in our own lives.

Space to let the hardships and traumas we face to grow a unique flame in us that we can shine outward to help those in our community.

Space to dream the biggest dreams of a world filled with brokenness but also so much love, light and connection that there is space for everyone at the table.

refreshing!

it is so refreshing and uplifting and soul reviving to me, to hear Michelle's affirmation about staying the course, putting in good work and going high. Most of the time, it's the complaining voices, the mean spirited voices, the judgemental voices that get noticed. For me, Michelle's message was just what I need to hear and continue to carry my light, live by example, and go high. thank you!

Just what we needed!

This book is awesome! Overflowing with knowledge, wisdom and perspective. It’s exactly what we needed in this uncertain time!

Quietly Engaging

More like embers than a raging flame, the book brought warmth and depth, connecting to a deeper set of principles that fuel the practical advice and wisdom of Michelle Obama.

Great follow up book to Becoming

This was a great read following her previous book Becoming. Very practical, positive and inspiring. Can't wait for her next one.

Truly Inspiring

Truly inspirational and a great read. She gave me a totally different perspective on how to approach life and situations that may arise.

Fantastic wisdom for every stage !

She's wonderful , real, wise. She is still
My biggest heroine !! Wish we could have tea together.

Inspiring

Wish we were all raised by her! What a great, fair, inspiring mind she has.

Thoughtfully written

I enjoyed Michelle person story and that of her family. Often, it’s easier er to share wisdom through the stories of our lives. By sharing our experiences and our stumbles, we are able to share what was done to right ourselves. I especially appreciated the lessons learned from her parents. And the story of her brother getting the family to practice fire drills. He must’ve felt the weight of protecting the family due to their father’s disease. An excellent read and one that I’d like my 18 yo nieces and nephews to read.

Thank you

Been going crazy lately in all the new places God has put me. This book was like a woman regal and wise telling me all the ways she’s gotten through life. I cannot express how relevant and impactful the advice in this book is. Will reread probably for the rest of my life.