The Light We Carry

Overcoming in Uncertain Times

By: Michelle Obama

Narrated by: Michelle Obama

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

I will listen on repeat.

This is exactly what the world needs right now. A raw, unapologetic, and motivating book on so much more than just the light we carry.

Build your table as you listen to this astounding woman tell you about hers. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

Incredible read - this I will listen to again

The topics covered were so relevant to where many of us find ourselves in the world today. I loved the individual and collective wisdom in the power of small and the stories from other women that she captured and shared. This one will likely land in my top 10 personal favorites!

Good Advice -Loved it

You get snippets of her autobiography throughout the book but as they relate to her advice on maneuvering hard times. As a minority, she's relatable and real. She gives advice by using her life experiences so it feels like a an older or more experienced friend is speaking with you. She narrorates a bit like a poetry slam which I feel, does a nice job of drawing attention to certain ideas and helps keep you engaged.I haven't read Becoming but I'll most likely purchase it now. I would recommend this audiobook.

I loved it! Much needed

There were so many gems dropped in this book, it felt like it was written just for me. i appreciate the stories, the wisdom and the relatable content.

Always go high

Loved this one almost as much as Becoming. It is just what we needed to hear in these uncertain times.

Thoughtful

Very insightful and universally applicable. Her willingness to be vulnerable, open and honest about her life and her feelings is a beautiful demonstration of how to live a healthy life without a mask if pretended perfection.

It filled me up!

I loved it! a wonderful reminder to stay true and do the work! i will keep going high, even when it is sometimes hard to do.

Ms. Obama continues to inspire!

The Light We Carry was wonderful. I am so glad she continues to do the work and has given the rest of us a glimpse into how that happens. Her observations and wisdom are really helpful to me.

Simply wonderful

I found this book inspirational, comforting and moving. It was like sitting at the kitchen table with Michelle while drinking coffee and listening to her story. I absolutely loved it!

Wonderful read!

I loved hearing more from our former First Lady about her journey and her inspiration to go high and be strengthened as an only throughout her life rather than overwhelmed.