I am just about finished with this wonderful biography of a very talented and educated Sonia Sotomayer, My Beloved World.  I read about this book on the blog of Lakeside Musing and I thank her for the recommendation. It is a really interesting story.  Ms. Sotomayer was a Puerto Rican born to an immigrant family in 1954 in the Bronx, New York City.  The book discusses her family, her relatives, her Catholic Education, her thoughts, her feelings, her triumphs and her hardships.

She was able to benefit from the Affirmative Action programs happening in America during the 1970’s and from high school went on to graduate from Princeton University and then onto Yale Law School with high donors. Her academic pedigree is long and thorough.

I have been listening to the unabridged audible version of this book with the narrator Rita Moreno who has been excellent.

I love the way she writes, her descriptions of the Bronx, first in the city area, later moving into the projects and what life was like there.

Her family ties are both intense, funny and sad. Her relationship with her father who spoke no English, had a third grade education, worked as a Tool and Die maker, dying in his 40’s from too much alcohol was mixed.

Her mother was also a very complex character and later her support of Sonia in her education was remarkable.

I am not quite finished with this book but will be in the next day or two. If you are interested in anything to do with legality, the justice system (though the story stops before she has a chance to get into her work as a supreme court justice) and a person’s never-ending determination to succeed this book will make you feel really good.

I really like it.  The Penguin liked it too and has been walking around the house all week dressed as a justice. (roll eyes)