The newly released memoir of former First Lady of the U.S., Michelle Obama sold a record 725,000 copies on its first day on sell outdoing similar memoirs authored by other American First Ladies.
It was officially released last week on Tuesday, November 13.
Titled ‘Becoming’, the 400 paged memoir walks the reader on a path of Michelle’s life before her husband became President, through her time in the White House and life there after. The book further gives insights into her marriage as well as motherhood. One of the revelations as made by Obama, in the memoir, is Michelle’s struggles with infertility and her miscarriage.
Regarding the political aspect, the memoir shares Michelle’s opinion on Barack Obama and what her doubts of him becoming President. She says that Obama being a black man in America, she didn’t really think he would win.
“I had learned through the campaign stumbles that I had to be faster, better, smarter and stronger than ever. My grace would have to be earned,” Michelle says of her reality of being the first black first lady of America.
It also touches her personal criticism towards now U.S. President, Donald Trump for among other reasons having made Barack Obama’s origin an issue during the 2016 Presidential campaign.
Some analysts are comparing the book to Harry Potter in terms of garnering attention.
It has been translated in languages including Albanian, Hungarian and Lithuanian. The publisher, Crown, said that the 725,000 sales figure includes pre-orders – hard cover, audio and e-books editions for the U.S and Canada. This figure is higher than her predecessor, Hillary Clinton’s book ‘Living History’ which sold 600,000 copies in the first week.
Jointly, Barack Obama and wife, Michelle are said to have signed book deals worth US$ 60 million shortly after leaving the White House.
‘Becoming’ now gets in second place for best-selling debut after Bob Woodward’s book titled ‘Fear: Trump in the White House’ which sold 900,000 copies on the first day.
To amplify sales for her memoir, Michelle Obama is embarking on a tour of 10 cities beginning with Chicago, her home town. There, she will speak at the United Center, the home of Chicago Bulls. Other American cities include Detroit, Boston, California, San Jose, Brooklyn, Washington D.C, Denver, Philadelphia and Dallas.
Michelle Obama’s tour will feature what Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter, which is behind her tour, says will be intimate conversations between her (Michelle) and select moderators.