‘The Light We Carry’ By Michelle Obama In Bookstores Today
Today marks the release of Michelle Obama’s new book, “The Light We Carry – Overcoming in Uncertain Times.” Penguin Random House is publishing the book simultaneously in all its markets around the globe: “The Light We Carry” is being released simultaneously in 23 languages and 36 countries. Also today, the former first lady embarks on an extensive book tour that will see her appearing at a total of 13 events in six major U.S. cities between now and December 13.
The long wait for millions of fans around the world is over: Today, Penguin Random House is publishing Michelle Obama’s new book, “The Light We Carry - Overcoming in Uncertain Times,” in all its markets around the globe. “The Light We Carry” is being launched simultaneously in 23 languages and 36 countries. Also today, the former First Lady embarks on an extensive book tour that will see her appear at a total of 13 events in six major U.S. cities through December 13. The tour begins today in Washington, D.C., followed by evenings of readings and talks in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. They will be hosted by celebrities including actress and comedian Ellen DeGeneres, CBS host Gayle King, NBC anchor Hoda Kotb, actor Tyler Perry, hosting legend David Letterman, author Heather McGhee, journalist Michele Norris, and host Oprah Winfrey. Michelle Obama is also currently making a series of television appearances. Among other things, on the NBC talk show “Hoda & Jenny” and on ABCʼs “Good Morning America” – now also available on YouTube.
Encouraging stories and inspiring thoughts
The book’s publication was preceded by an extensive social media campaign orchestrated by our colleagues at Crown Publishing in the U.S. Mrs. Obama presented her new book to her 90 million social media followers on July 21, and of course it was also presented on the social media accounts of Crown, Random House, and Penguin Random House. The author describes her book as “a toolbox of sorts, a collection of perspectives and practices that I draw on when I need to stay balanced and confident.” On September 21, Michelle Obama announced her book tour on her own Instagram channel. The post was clicked on 1.8 million times and received over 42,000 likes. On October 23, Michelle Obama posted about the book again, saying it was about “understanding the power of our own stories.” Another post took a look behind the scenes, or making, of the book, scoring more than 120,000 likes and over 2.6 million views. And when Michelle Obama unwrapped a first printed copy and shared it with her fans on Instagram, the video was viewed some 8.5 million times, liked 581,000 times, and triggered more than 1,500 pre-orders.In “The Light We Carry,” Michelle Obama enters into conversation with her readers, addressing the questions that most struggle with on a regular basis: How do stable and sincere relationships succeed? How can we find strength and common ground even in conflict? What tools are available to us to express self-doubt and helplessness? What can we do when everything suddenly becomes too much? Encouraging stories and inspiring thoughts show how Michelle Obama thinks about change, challenges, and what is within our power to do. In her role as mother, daughter, wife, friend, and First Lady, she shares the basic principles and beliefs that have helped her overcome even the most difficult obstacles in life and keep growing.
Previous book sold more than 17 million copies
The English-language edition of “The Light We Carry” is published in the U.S. and Canada by Crown, a Random House Publishing Group company. In the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa, the book is published by Viking, a publisher of Penguin Random House UK. The German-language edition, entitled “Das Licht in uns - Halt finden in unsicheren Zeiten,” is published by Goldmann, a publisher of the Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe. In Spain, Plaza & Janes, a Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial publisher, will publish “Con luz propia.” In Brazil, the publisher of the Portuguese-language edition is Objetiva, a Companhia das Letras imprint; in Portugal, it is the Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial subsidiary Objetiva. And in China, a Chinese edition is being published by Penguin Random House China. Translations also appear in Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Mongolian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Slovak and Swedish.Michelle Obama’s previous book, “Becoming,” which chronicles her life journey from her childhood on Chicago’s South Side to her experiences as First Lady of the United States, inspired readers worldwide and received great critical acclaim. Since its release on November 13, 2018, “Becoming” has been translated into 50 languages and sold more than 17 million copies worldwide in various formats. Penguin Random House had published “Becoming” in all of its markets as well.
