Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’ is the bestselling book of 2018 after just 15 days

When they go low, book sales go high.
 By 
Nicole Gallucci
 on 
Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’ is the bestselling book of 2018 after just 15 days
Michelle Obama on her "Becoming" book tour. Credit: SCOTT OLSON/GETTY IMAGES

Michelle Obama goes high, and apparently so do her book sales.

The former first lady's personal memoir, Becoming, has sold more than two million copies since its release on Nov. 13, 2018, according to Penguin Random House. That means it's currently the top selling book of the year.

On Friday, Penguin Random House shared a press release announcing the book had sold more than 2 million units "across all formats and editions in the U.S. and Canada" during its first 15 days, as reflected by NDP BookScan data.

The hardcover edition of Becoming will have 3.4 million copies throughout the U.S. and Canada after its sixth print, and the book remains on several noteworthy bestseller lists.

It's also currently at the top spot on the New York Times Bestselling Hardcover Nonfiction and the Combined Print and E-Book Bestsellers lists for the second week.

In the book Obama paints a picture of her childhood, discusses her family, former jobs, how she met and fell in love with Barack Obama, and her time in the White House. She also gets very candid about her feelings for Donald Trump.

Obama is currently on a book tour that's visiting ten cities, with upcoming stops in Brooklyn, Detroit, Denver, San Jose, Dallas, and more, so sales are bound to keep rising.

You go, girl!

Mashable Image
Nicole Gallucci

Nicole is a Senior Editor at Mashable. She primarily covers entertainment and digital culture trends, and in her free time she can be found watching TV, sending voice notes, or going viral on Twitter for admiring knitwear. You can follow her on Twitter @nicolemichele5.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Make your commute count with these 15-minute nonfiction book summaries
Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription

Turn ideas into a book faster with Aivolut AI Book Creator for $118.99
Laptop on desk

A new 'Heated Rivalry' book is on the way — preorder 'Unrivaled' by Rachel Reid now
A side-by-side photo of a book cover and two actors posing on a red carpet

Steven Spielberg says Barack Obama's alien comments are 'so great for 'Disclosure Day''
Steven Spielberg at the 2026 Golden Globes.


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone


What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!