Warning: This was a fun post I wrote for entertainment purposes. I thoroughly enjoy both books. The storytelling is top-tier, and the life lessons are stellar. But in both books, I felt the Capricorn energy exude from them. As I read, all I could say in jest was, “This is a Capricorn thing.”  We are still in Chapter 18, and it’s been 2 hours. My mind would drift to Capricorn in my life, which is typically long-winded and sometimes overly detail-oriented. Please enjoy this blog. I have no disrespect for either of these women; it’s just my poor attempt at humor, comparing the books I’ve read.

Random Thought: Capricorns write the longest book ever (upon some extra investigation, Capricorns do not hold the honor of the longest book). I may be narrow-minded about Capricorns.  This is based on my observations and other articles I have read about Capricorns. Women of this sign can be very detail-oriented, get stuck on one subject for too long, and overlook details that reflect poorly on them.   From reading, you may wonder where I got that thought.  I am currently reading Tina Knowles’ book “Matriarch.” I love this book; it’s witty, honest, and funny, and, on the low, she’s giving young ladies tips and knowledge that have been lost in current generations.  How do you decide to leave a bad situation? How do you pursue your dreams with focus and determination? How to be your person.

A full review is forthcoming once I’ve finished the book.  It’s a trend I’ve noticed in almost all memoirs I’ve read by Capricorns. I have only read three books by Capricorns: two by former First Lady Michelle Obama and Matriarch by Tina Knowles.   Below are a few takeaways from each book that I would like to attribute to Capricorn pause, Black, and Successful Capricorn women.  I have met the dark side of Capricorn; they are all long-winded but never seem to harness their success.  That is another blog for a different post.  Below are five thoughts I have taken from reading memoirs from Capricorn Women:

1. Capricorns are detail-oriented to a painstaking level.  Numerous details are layered into each chapter and sentence.  I love the details, but when you’re still in Chapter 4 after 5 hours.  In Becoming, Michelle Obama describes the home, the smells, and the rhythm to the point where you lose sight of why she’s telling the story until 10 minutes later. I had to go back and re-read a section to understand how the story connected to its impact on her life.  This is not awful; it forces you to pay attention, and in a TikTok 10-second world, it was nice to focus.  Seriously, please get to the point about why you didn’t continue playing the piano.
2. Capricorns focus on the most mundane things but speed past the most impactful moments. Tina Knowles’ details were terrific, but I could tell from the editing that certain things were left out or edited down to fit the book’s length.
3. You will learn the tips to get your life right. I am serious; after reading Michelle Obama’s book and even Mama Tina’s book, I am ready to be the woman I want to be.  Michelle offers words of inspiration and practical advice on how to be present without losing yourself.  Mama Tina teaches you how to achieve financial stability without going broke and to stand in your truth. If you are missing life lessons from your parents, read this book.  (This sentence just gave me an idea for a new post.)
   1. Bonus: she provides semi-detailed instructions for a delicious Gumbo recipe.  When I get access to a kitchen and a whole day, I make Mama Tina’s Gumbo. If her kids won’t learn to make it, I will. I EVEN KNOW THE BISCUITS AND DRINKS I will make!
4. They make some of the best mothers, creating a fiercely independent daughter.  Hold up, a Capricorn raised me, and I am very independent and couldn’t care less about other people’s opinion of me, which came from my mama. However, reading this book made me realize that Capricorns make the best mothers (warning: when they are healed and not working from trauma).  Look at their kids. No, Michelle Obama’s daughters went to top schools and are living the best private lives. Tina Knowles, we are not going to sit here and notice that she has two successful daughters who are private and refuse to pay people to do their work!  The proof is in the writing and the daughters.
5. Their vulnerability makes them 10x more driven. Listen to each book; someone hurts their feelings beyond compare, and they devise a plan and seek revenge. The revenge doesn’t last long, but they devise a plan and leave.   That is another life lesson you should take away from this book.
6. These are long-ass books. I understand Ms. Tina Knowles is 71 and fabulous, putting some 40-year-old woman to shame!  Michelle Obama, in her 60s, I believe, is again putting 40 a 40-year-old woman to shame.  Matriarch clocks in at 432 pages, possibly more, while Obama’s book reaches 448 pages, with an additional 16 pages if purchased from Target, for a total of 464 pages. I have the Target book and the journal. Get the journal you need; it’s full of life lessons to learn from.

Overall, I love both books. You should take the time to read books by these extraordinary ladies.

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