Book Review: A Promised Land by Barak Obama

 


Title: A Promised Land

By: Barack Obama

Genre: Non-Fiction

Pages: 751

Release Date: November 17th, 2020 

Rating: ★★★★☆

 
Summary from Goodreads:

A riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making, from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy.

In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency—a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.

Obama takes readers on a compelling journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of November 4, 2008, when he was elected 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office.

Reflecting on the presidency, he offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of both the awesome reach and the limits of presidential power, as well as singular insights into the dynamics of U.S. partisan politics and international diplomacy. Obama brings readers inside the Oval Office and the White House Situation Room, and to Moscow, Cairo, Beijing, and points beyond. We are privy to his thoughts as he assembles his cabinet, wrestles with a global financial crisis, takes the measure of Vladimir Putin, overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to secure passage of the Affordable Care Act, clashes with generals about U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, tackles Wall Street reform, responds to the devastating Deepwater Horizon blowout, and authorizes Operation Neptune’s Spear, which leads to the death of Osama bin Laden.

A Promised Land is extraordinarily intimate and introspective—the story of one man’s bet with history, the faith of a community organizer tested on the world stage. Obama is candid about the balancing act of running for office as a Black American, bearing the expectations of a generation buoyed by messages of “hope and change,” and meeting the moral challenges of high-stakes decision-making. He is frank about the forces that opposed him at home and abroad, open about how living in the White House affected his wife and daughters, and unafraid to reveal self-doubt and disappointment. Yet he never wavers from his belief that inside the great, ongoing American experiment, progress is always possible.

This beautifully written and powerful book captures Barack Obama’s conviction that democracy is not a gift from on high but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day.

 

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Review:

This was a thick book, and it definitely took me some time to get through. Mostly because of the dense political content, but it was absolutely worth it. Barack Obama’s writing is thoughtful, eloquent, and deeply reflective. It’s a fascinating look behind the scenes of his presidency and the challenges of leadership, told with honesty and insight. Well written and very interesting.

ARC Review: Within the Space of a Second by Elise Helliwell

 


Title: Within the Space of a Second.

By: Elise Helliwell

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 352

Release Date: November 25th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

Every morning, Mariella Adams wakes with a strange electrical energy buzzing beneath her skin. Terrified she has inherited her late mother’s mental illness, she tells no one. But when Mariella discovers her mother’s lost journals with an entry dated after her death, she’s desperate for answers.
 
The mystery only deepens when Mariella is approached by two strangers, Rose and Parker, who claim to be time travelers from the future. They say that interfering with the past – and Mariella – is forbidden, but they need her help to restore Parker’s ability to time travel before they’re caught in Mariella's timeline.
 
Shocked, Mariella agrees to help them. After all, they might hold the answers she’s looking for. And the more time she spends with them, the more she finds herself drawn to Parker. As she fights to uncover the mysteries of her past and the secrets of his future, will Mariella discover the truth before time runs out – and Parker disappears forever?

 

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Review:

A twisting tale of time travel and raw emotion, Within the Space of a Second pulls you into a world where love and destiny collide across timelines. Helliwell crafts an intricate story that balances science fiction elements with deep human connection, exploring how one small moment can change everything. The pacing lags slightly in places, but the emotional weight and beautifully drawn characters make it well worth the journey. A heartfelt and thought provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

Weekly Menu #633 And The Book Of The Week

 


This week’s menu takes us on a colorful journey across continents, where vegetables shine just as brightly as the proteins beside them. From the lemony freshness of Greek orzo salad to the comforting warmth of Ethiopian lentils and berbere spice, every dish celebrates balance and bold flavor. Think tender meats paired with vibrant produce, sauces that awaken your senses, and a table that feels like a passport stamped in flavor. It’s a little bit of garden, a little bit of grill, and a whole lot of delicious discovery.

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Greek Chicken Orzo Salad with Roasted Vegetables

Kids - Chicken Nuggets and Pasta Salad

 

Tuesday

Chana Masala with Tandoori Chicken and Garlic Naan

Kids - Chicken and Rice

 

Wednesday

Vietnamese Vermicelli Bowls (Bún Chay Gà)

Kids - Beef Ramen

 

Thursday

Black Bean and Ground Turkey Tacos

Kids - Cheese Quesadilla

 

Friday

Ethiopian Lentil Stew with Spiced Ground Beef

Kids - Chicken Soup

 

Saturday

Ratatouille and Italian Sausage

Kids - Hotdog Mac and Cheese

 

Sunday

Leftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #330

 


It’s that time again. Sunday confession time. Today, I’m letting it all out: the books I couldn’t finish, the characters I didn’t vibe with, the plot twists that left me scratching my head. No judgment here, just a little corner of honesty where we can admit that not every book is a home run… and sometimes that’s perfectly okay.


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Weekly Menu #633 And The Book Of The Week
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ARC Review: Within the Space of a Second by Elise Helliwell
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Book Review: A Promised Land by Barak Obama
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ARC Review: Fallen City by Adrienne Young
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Book Review: Never Flinch by Steven King
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Sunday Confessions #331





★★★☆☆

Sadly, this one fell victim to the classic second book slump. After such a strong start to the series, I had high hopes, but The Rebel and the Rose just didn’t deliver the same spark. The pacing dragged, the emotional stakes felt lower, and the magic that made the first book so captivating seemed to fade. It wasn’t terrible, but it definitely left me wanting more.








359/100 2025 Reading Challenge


And that wraps up this week’s Sunday Confessions. Whether it’s loving a book everyone else hated, or struggling through one I wanted to adore, it’s all part of the reading journey. Every story, good, bad, or somewhere in between, teaches me something new about what I love most as a reader. Until next Sunday, may your TBRs be kind and your next read be worth confessing about.

Saturday Sips: The Place Where They Burrier Your Heart by Christina Henry

 


Title: The Place Where They Buried Your Heart.

By: Christina Henry

Genre: Horror

Pages: 320

Release Date: November 4th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:

A woman must confront the evil that has been terrorizing her street since she was a child in this gripping haunted house novel, perfect for fans of The Last House on Needless Street and Tell Me I'm Worthless.
On an otherwise ordinary street in Chicago, there is a house. An abandoned house where, once upon a time, terrible things happened. The children who live on this block are told by their parents to stay away from that house. But of course, children don't listen. Children think it's fun to be scared, to dare each other to go inside.
Jessie Campanelli did what many older sisters do and dared her little brother Paul. But unlike all the other kids who went inside that abandoned house, Paul didn't return. His two friends, Jake and Richie, said that the house ate Paul. Of course adults didn't believe that. Adults never believe what kids say. They thought someone kidnapped Paul, or otherwise hurt him. They thought Paul had disappeared in a way that was ordinary, explainable.
The disappearance of her little brother broke Jessie's family apart in ways that would never be repaired. Jessie grew up, had a child of her own, kept living on the same street where the house that ate her brother sat, crouched and waiting. And darkness seemed to spread out from that house, a darkness that was alive—alive and hungry.

 

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Review:

This was an absolute rollercoaster! Dark, twisted, and utterly gripping. I loved every terrifying second. Super creepy and haunting in all the best ways. Highly recommend if you’re ready for a wild, chilling ride.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.