Book Review: Sisters First, Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life

Last night I finished Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. The book is an autobiography/memoir about the famous sisters who not only had a father who was president but also a grandfather.

The book is a quick read but entertaining and moving. There are many recognizable stories about the Bush twins but they also provide new insight about growing up in a political dynasty, the relationship with their parents and grandparents, as well as aspects of their personal lives that the press did not cover during both presidential campaigns and terms of office. The personal letters, emails and texts helped to prove the importance of family to Jenna and Barbara.

Let's keep one thing in mind friends since a book like this could be controversial but should not be - regardless of politics - the men that lead this country as president are husbands, fathers and grandfathers. We are all humans. Life in the White House is short and what remains a constant in the lives of these political leaders is their families (in some cases). I won't lie. I loved this book but these are my favorite kinds of books. My bookshelves are lined with memoirs by presidents, first ladies and their children. I wrote my thesis and honors thesis about presidential families. I named my child after two presidents. In all of these instances, I remain bipartisan and look beyond the political party.

Soap box rant aside, I loved when Jenna and Barbara talked about both sets of their grandparents. I cried through the section about their maternal grandfather's death and how he didn't know who they were anymore. I laughed at their antics and saw similar traits among my sisters and I. I too had wonderful relationships and now memories of my grandparents. I too watched my maternal grandfather die and not remember who I was in the end. And I too have two sisters and understand the amazing bond that is sisterhood.

These books are wonderful for those who are interested in history but don't want a huge political book. It's entertaining, it's fun and it's quick. I encourage you to give it a try. You might learn something about a family that you otherwise chose to ignore or not care about.

Happy Reading!