Tuesday, October 1, 2013

"My Beloved World" by Sonia Sotomayor

Summary:  It's hard to imagine a Supreme Court Justice growing up in the projects of the Bronx, but those are the roots that shaped Sonia Sotomayor into the first Puerto Rican Supreme Court justice in the United States.

This autobiography recounts Justice Sotomayor's life from her earliest memories dancing at house parties hosted by her glamorous and superstitious Abuelita, her diagnosis of juvenile diabetes in grade school (at the time a death sentence), her struggles to learn English and get passing grades in Catholic school, the hard work that brought her to the Ivy League, a failed marriage, working with Prada and her eventual road to public service.

What I Liked:  I was pleasantly surprised at how open this book was.  Sotomayor did not shy away from superstition, alcoholism, the prejudice she faced in the era of affirmative action or her views on having children.  The story was told as a narrative, in more or less chronological order and with emotion that felt both genuine and wise.

Whats Drove Me Nuts:  Not much!  I would have liked to read more about Sotomayor's professional life, but I understand why she spent so much time on her formative years.  It was inspiring to read how someone who literally came from nothing managed to work her way to the top of her profession.

Rating:  Read it!  Really, this book was a bit like reality TV, but where you root for the main character to win the whole shebang from the first introductions.

Reviewed By:  Tami

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