Political Spouses
I think by this point everyone who is interested in the topic at all has probably picked up Becoming. This is Michelle Obama’s bestselling book about her life before, during, and after her husband’s presidency. I thought it was a good book but it isn’t my favorite in this genre.
This first book I read in this genre was …and His Lovely Wife, the story of the relationship between Connie Schultz and Sherrod Brown. Sherrod is now my Senator. He and Connie met as adults with established careers. She was a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist. She suddenly went from writing about politics to being in the middle of it.
She is very funny. She’s a great on Twitter and has no qualms about poking fun of her husband. I saw them a few months ago at a book event for a book of his where she did the interviewing. They are a great couple.
I didn’t really know anything about Chasten Buttigieg until I saw that this audiobook was available at the end of October.
This book was a delight. It is the honest story of how a normal, non-political guy marries a mayor and then gets swept up in a campaign for President of the United States.
(He even references Connie Schultz’s book as a guide for him to know how to handle himself on the campaign trail.)
I wrote this before the election. I couldn’t bring myself to add this book until the results came in. I started reading it myself on that day.
This is the story of how Jill Biden met her husband and became a part of his tight-knit family.
What a great topic! It wasn’t a niche I knew I was interested in, but seeing the collection of books you came up with, I do think they’d make for fascinating reading.
I’ve not heard of Connie Schultz and Sherrod Brown – their names haven’t made as much of an impact here in the UK whereas we all now recognised Jill Biden’s name. It’s going to be fascinating to see what influences she will bring to bear on the role of First Lady. Will she continue to work I wonder?
She says that she’s planning on it. We’ll see if she can keep up the schedule.
This is a great topic! I loved Becoming and would love to read I Have Something to Tell You.
I love this topic! I feel badly that I follow all of these people on Twitter but I haven’t read their stories. Jill has been on my short list of fantasy dinner guests for years and years (along with Michelle, obviously).
You came up with a wonderful topic. Thank you.
That is a very specific sub-genre, but I love the idea! I’ve only read Becoming, which I enjoyed. Never heard of Connie Schultz and Sherrod Brown, but the book sounds fun and it must bring an extra dimension, when Sherrod is your senator.
An interesting selection, I like that you’ve focused on the partners of political figures. Not being American I’m only familiar with Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, I’ll have to look up the others. Thanks for sharing your recs
Interesting topic! I’ve read Becoming, and I read one of Hillary Clinton’s books years ago. I think those are the only ones I’ve read about political spouses.
These are awesome!! Thanks for sharing!
I love this topic, Heather! What a great idea. And I’m glad you could start reading Jill Biden’s, finally 🙂