Penguin Random House is to publish the new book by Michelle Obama globally on 15 November with a 2.75m first print run and simultaneous publication in 14 languages worldwide.
Entitled The Light we Carry – Overcoming in Uncertain Times, the publisher says the former First Lady ‘offers readers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress.’
Published under the Crown imprint in the US and Canada, the publisher adds: ‘Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles—the earned wisdom that helps her continue to “become.” She details her most valuable practices, like “starting kind,” “going high,” and assembling a “kitchen table” of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness.”
Michelle Obama’s previous book, her memoirs Becoming, was a global bestseller and the publisher is hoping the new title will blaze a similar path. The former First Lady writes: “I’ve learned it’s okay to recognize that self-worth comes wrapped in vulnerability, and that what we share as humans on this earth is the impulse to strive for better, always and no matter what. We become bolder in brightness. If you know your light, you know yourself. You know your own story in an honest way. In my experience, this type of self-knowledge builds confidence, which in turn breeds calmness and an ability to maintain perspective, which leads, finally, to being able to connect meaningfully with others—and this to me is the bedrock of all things. One light feeds another. One strong family lends strength to more. One engaged community can ignite those around it. This is the power of the light we carry.”
The deal was announced by Markus Dohle, CEO of Penguin Random House, which acquired world publishing rights to the book. Obama was represented by Deneen C. Howell of Williams & Connolly LLP. The book will be published simultaneously in 14 languages and 27 countries around the world, with additional languages and territories to be announced. No Arabic deal has been announced as yet, though Becoming was published in Arabic by Lebanon’s Hachette Antoine.
