Michelle Obama is now a two-time Grammy winner.
The former first lady won the Grammy Award for best audiobook, narration, and storytelling recording on Sunday for her narration of her book The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times. She previously won in that category in 2020 for the audiobook version of Becoming, her memoir. She was also nominated for the prize in 2013 for American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America.
Obama didn’t attend the Grammys ceremony, and singer Patti Austin accepted the award on her behalf, saying, “I have a feeling Michelle is not here. If you want this, Michelle, you’ll have to come and get it.”
The Light We Carry, published in 2022 by Crown, is a self-help book that offers readers advice on topics including relationships and community. A critic for Kirkus wrote of the book, “No surprises or reveals but plenty of warmth and encouragement, particularly for young people. A good holiday gift.”
Obama prevailed over four other narrators: Sen. Bernie Sanders for It’s OK To Be Angry About Capitalism; Rick Rubin for The Creative Act: A Way of Being; William Shatner for Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder, co-written by Joshua Brandon; and Meryl Streep for Big Tree, written by Brian Selznick.
Obama’s husband, former President Barack Obama, previously won two Grammys as well, for his narration of his books Dreams From My Father and The Audacity of Hope.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
