Michelle Obama’s Memoir Sales Near All-Time Record

The Washington Post reports:

Sales for Michelle Obama’s memoir “Becoming” continue to skyrocket. According to publisher Penguin Random House, the book has sold more than 10 million copies — including hardcover, audiobooks and e-books — since its November release. That puts it near the top, if not the pinnacle, of all-time memoir sales.

Markus Dohle, Penguin Random House’s chief executive, told the Wall Street Journal, “I’m not aware, in my personal experience with Penguin Random House, that we ever sold 10 million units of a memoir.”

“Becoming” sold an astounding 725,000 copies on its first day and 2 million copies in North America within 15 days of its release, making it the fastest-selling book of 2018, not to mention the best-selling hardcover book of the year.

The book has also topped bestsellers lists overseas.

Bertelsmann Executive Board member Markus Dohle: “We published #Becoming simultaneously in 22 countries through Penguin Random House publishers. I reckon @MichelleObama’s book has the potential to become the biggest memoir of all time.” #WhatDrivesUs #APC19 #BertelsmannResults pic.twitter.com/AX1qRRcEC5

— Bertelsmann_com (@Bertelsmann_com) March 26, 2019