Welcome to Litsy!

An interesting and challenging (long!) book that taught me a lot: covering a span of history that I remember but with many new details. Power boldly made her way from being a child in a low income immigrant family to working as a journalist in Kosovo and becoming the American representative at the UN, tackling major global issues and developing and adhering to strong principles of justice and equality.
#Nonfiction2021 #SoneoneWhoInspiresYou

I learned from one of [Joe Biden‘s] advisors that he still gave his personal cell phone number to grieving strangers that he met, urging them, “If you feel low, and you don‘t know where‘s to turn, call me.” I marvelled at how when these people sometimes followed up he made them feel like they were his first priority.

Love the description of the writer pumping her overfilled breasts just across the hallway from the room where she‘s been meeting with Obama, Clinton, and Aung San Suu Kyi.

I‘m really enjoying this #NewYearWhoDis pick from @Amandajoy and I expect I‘ll finish it before the end of January. Reading it while President Biden is building his cabinet is good timing! One thing I‘ve especially liked is how honest she is about how her early family life affects her well into adulthood. That‘s unusual in a political memoir.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Normally, I get bored with reading about policy, but this book is so well written that I found it compelling and a page turner. Perhaps that‘s because it‘s about her approach and the Obama administration‘s thinking rather than being “a tome of policy.” She is engaging, charming, passionate, and I enjoyed learning about her journey as a daughter, activist, journalist, and White House insider. Very smart. 4.5/5

I loved this book! 💚💚💚

I typically don't read many political books, but this one was recommended so often that I finally gave in. Samantha Power impresses me and inspires me. She's a woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to stand-up for what she feels is right. I learned so much from this book about the role of the US in foreign affairs that I frankly never really thought about before, but I will definitely pay more attention to now.

“On a bright Saturday in September of 2013, I was sitting in a crowded diner in midtown Manhattan with my husband, Cass, and our kids, four-year-old Declan and one-year-old Rian.”

So interesting to read about Ambassador Powers‘s childhood in Dublin and her career path.

4* What an inspiring book...and life! 16 year old me would have thought this was the ideal career. The older version of me recognizes the incredible stress and anxiety that these jobs must have come with. But what a fascinating memoir.

2 hours in to the #24b4monday and my #doublespin book for April completed.

Ok, let‘s try this #24b4monday

First up: 50 pages of my #bookspin book to go. This is a fascinating book!

New book (my #doublespin for April) and a sleepy pup. Let‘s see how much progress I can make before he recharges!

There are not enough stars to describe this book. Smart and very insightful. This book should be read by all. #nonfiction2020

Just in off my library hold. Has anyone read this yet? I‘m looking forward to this one.

Barack Obama‘s recommendation caused me to add this to my TBR and it lived up to his praise. The audiobook is over 20 hours but I felt as if I flew through it. Covering her life from her childhood In Ireland all the way through to her years as ambassador to the UN, I found this memoir engaging and informative.

Samantha Power was the US ambassador to the UN during Obama‘s second term. In her memoir, she discusses her childhood in Ireland, immigration to the US, time as a reporter in Bosnia, and her work in the US government. She‘s thoughtful, intelligent, eloquent, and gives me hope. This book is terrific.

I love it when Barack talks books ❤️