First (Place) Lady: Michelle Obama’s New Book Hits Number One on the Charts
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Michelle Obama has a lot to be thankful for this week as her new book has hit number one on the Amazon bestsellers list.
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First released Nov. 15, the new book, titled The Light We Carry: Overcoming In Uncertain Times, draws on Obama’s personal struggles over the last few years, offering what she calls a “toolbox” of strategies to stay hopeful and optimistic amidst the many challenges of life.
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times
Obama says the pandemic was a difficult time for her, sympathizing that it was “leaving us isolated at home during a time of uncertainty. And like everyone else,” she shared on Twitter, “I had a lot of questions about how to overcome anxiety and fear when it felt like the ground was moving beneath us.”
The questions from others, and doubts in her own mind, ultimately compelled her to write The Light We Carry, which will take the form of first-person anecdotes and lessons learned from Obama’s time in the White House and her life as a mother and spouse. “It’s a collection of practices and perspectives that I draw on when I need to stay balanced and confident, especially in times of anxiety and stress,” she explains.
The new book comes four years after the release of Obama’s memoir, Becoming, which sold almost a million copies on its first day of release, and went on to become one of the best-selling books of all time (not to mention a best-selling audiobook).
Becoming
The First Lady gave a nod to her first book in a recent Twitter post, when describing what readers can expect from The Light We Carry. “Some of these tools are habits. Some are actual physical objects. Others are attitudes and beliefs from my ongoing journey of becoming,” she wrote. “I poured a lot into this book, and my hope is that it might give you some ideas for your own journey.”
Four years ago, when I released my memoir, Becoming, I traveled across the country and around the world, meeting so many incredible people—including many of you. It was a little scary to share so much of my story for the first time, but I was so moved by your response. pic.twitter.com/RUDCs1cEKe
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) November 13, 2022
According to her publisher, the title of Obama’s new book is taken from her belief that everyone possess an inner flame and that people “become bolder with brightness.”
“Even when the world feels dark and uncertain,” she writes, “we always have the ability to kindle our own light by looking inside ourselves and then sharing it with others.”
The Light We Carry: Overcoming In Uncertain Times is now available on hardcover online. It is also available as an audiobook, narrated by the former First Lady herself.
Related: This Audible Deal Gets You One Month of Free Access
Obama will be promoting her new book on her “The Light We Carry Tour,” which runs through Dec. 13 in Los Angeles. Obama will be joined by some of her famous friends as moderators, including Ellen Degeneres, David Letterman, Tyler Perry and Oprah. Tickets to the events are still available on Stubhub.com and Seatgeek.com.
Amazon, meantime, just released of the Best Books of 2022. While Obama’s latest was released too late in the year to qualify, you can expect The Light We Carry to appear in many “best of” lists to come.
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