My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor

My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
Published by Knopf

Summary from the publisher:

With startling candor and intimacy, Sonia Sotomayor recounts her life from a Bronx housing project to the federal bench, progress that is testament to her extraordinary determination and the power of believing in oneself.  She writes of her precarious childhood and the refuge she took with her passionately spirited paternal grandmother. She describes her resolve as a young girl to become a lawyer, and how she made this dream become reality: valedictorian of her high school class, summa cum laude at Princeton, Yale Law, prosecutor in the Manhattan D.A.’s office, private practice, federal district judge before the age of forty. She writes about her deeply valued mentors, about her failed marriage, about her cherished family of friends. Through her still-astonished eyes, America’s infinite possibilities are envisioned anew in this warm and honest book, destined to become a classic of self-discovery and self-invention, alongside Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father.

This was an impulse listen for me, an audiobook I spotted at the library that I’d heard good things about and that I felt I might enjoy because I like these kinds of reads. I was not disappointed here. Sonia Sotomayor has led an interesting and inspiring life and I loved hearing about what has helped her become so successful over the course of her life.

SO much of what Sotomayor has to say is both important and quotable. I almost wish I read the paper book so I could have highlighted and took notes instead of just listening to what was said; however the audio was really good so there’s that too. I just loved everything she had to say about growing up with not a lot of money, being a minority and a woman, with few examples around her about what success in the traditional sense looks like, yet still being so driven and hardworking that to succeed was the only choice she gave herself. One thing she stressed, which I think is important for anyone trying to nurture and help children, is that the ONE thing that matters in a disenfranchised kids’ life is having one adult who roots for the child, boosts him or her up, and has the child’s back in all things, no matter what. For Sotomayor that person was her grandmother, when I was a child I had one or two people in my life who did that for me, and I have to say that I can’t agree more with this statement. Not all kids have perfect parents or perfect lives, but if you are able to be there for a child who might not be in a great situation, to really show how important that child is, how special and smart and unique and creative and all of those things, it could make a huge difference in that child’s life.

Sotomayor is unflinchingly honest in this memoir and I appreciated her so much for that. She has been through a lot in her life – deaths of loved ones, a failed marriage, education at America’s top schools, many different levels of her career – and she was so open about it all. I found myself really admiring the way she makes decisions and thinks through things – I hate to admit it but I’m not as caught up in politics as I once was so I really didn’t pay attention to her confirmation hearings when she became a Supreme Court Justice and I knew almost nothing about her political beliefs and leanings. She truly is a fair and thoughtful judge – thinking very carefully through every single possible repercussion and consequence before making even the smallest decision. I liked her quite a bit and enjoyed getting to know her and understand her throughout the book.

If you’re looking to get to know Sonia Sotomayor better – the real person behind the media image of her – this is a fantastic choice. Or if you, like me, enjoy these kinds of autobiographies in general, also a fantastic choice. Sotomayor has led a very inspiring life and I have no doubt that she will continue to inspire and interest me throughout the rest of her career. I’m so glad to have read this book. Highly recommended!