Ahead of Easter (which was April 1), Maria Shriver’s new collection of prayers and thoughts on motherhood, self-confidence, caregiving, and more in I’ve Been Thinking took the top spot on PW’s Religion Nonfiction Bestsellers list. A surge of promotions took place across television, print, radio, and online, including appearances on the Today show, Access Live, and in Parade magazine. In addition to sweepstakes and giveaway opportunities, Shriver participated in a Facebook Live virtual book-signing event and embarked on an 11-city book tour. Support for I’ve Been Thinking also included blurbs from Hoda Kotb, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Deepak Chopra, and more.
Also making its debut on PW’s Religion Nonfiction chart, Box of Butterflies by actress and television producer Roma Downey was #3. Marketing and publicity for the book included a national television, print, and radio campaign as well as a pre-order sales push offering free downloadable products and access to a video series. Box of Butterflies also benefited from several mentions on Twitter from the likes of Tyler Perry, Kris Jenner, and even President Donald Trump.
Following close behind, senior pastor at the global Hillsong Church Brian Houston came in at #4 with There is More, which PW called “inspiring” and “action-oriented.” Promotions for the book included pre-order incentives, contests, print and online ad placement in Christian media, and sneak peek features on brianhouston.com.
If I Live, the final installment to Terri Blackstock’s If I Run trilogy, debuted at #2 on PW’s Religion Fiction chart following an excerpt in Parade magazine online, a Goodreads giveaway, and ad placement on Christian websites featuring a triptych portrait of the book series.
