ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Former First Lady Michele Obama’s memoir, “Becoming,” will be the focus of an open-to-the-public discussion Tuesday, Feb. 25, starting at 6 p.m. at Englewood Library, 31 Engle St., in honor of Black History Month. This event is in an event sponsored by Women’s Diversity Book Group, a joint venture of the library and Women’s Rights Information Center.
“Becoming” was the number one most checked out book in the New York City Public Library system during 2019. According to goodreads.com, “Becoming,” copyright 2018, is a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling: “Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address.
“With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describers her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires others to do the same.”
About the author, goodreads.com says: “In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African American to serve in that role—she helped create a most welcoming and inclusive White House, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, encouraging families to pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.”
Here is the schedule of Women’s Diversity Book Group’s dates and books for the rest of 2020. All meetings are at the Englewood Library at 6 p.m. unless otherwise specified:
• March 24, “Know My Name” by Chantal Miller for Women’s History Month;
• April 28, noted motivational speaker Dr. Yvonne S. Thornton on her books “Ditchdigger’s Daughters: A Black Family’s Astonishing Success Story” and “Something to Prove: A Daughter’s Journey to Fulfill a Father’s Legacy” at a private home in Englewood for the group’s annual local author dinner;
• May 26, “In the Shadow of the Banyan” by Vaddey Ratner for Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month;
• June 30, “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Pride Month;
• July 28, “One of Ours” by Willa Cather for the theme of classic or prize winner by a woman author;
• Aug. 25, “Autumn” by Ali Smith on the theme of age issues;
• Sept. 22, “Lost Children Archive” by Valeria Luiselli for Latina/o Heritage Month;
• Oct. 27, “Rabbits for Food” by Binnie Kirshenbaum for National Disability Employment Awareness Month;
• Nov. 17, “Shadow Tag” by Louise Erdrich for Native American Heritage Month;
• Dec. 15, Women’s Rights Information Center, 108 W. Palisade Ave., Englewood, for a combined discussion/potluck supper on “Guest at the Shooter’s Banquet: My Grandfather’s SS Past, My Jewish Family, A Search for the Truth” by Rita Gabis for the theme of spirituality/religious heritage and environmentalism.
