‘It is helping more than I imagined’: Lisa Curry’s book goes to No1

Lisa Curry speaks out about the social media feedback around her new book, as it emerges the no-holds-barred and confronting autobiography has become a No1 bestseller.

Lisa Curry has added another win to her life’s work – best-selling author.

But the real gold for the champion swimmer and mental health campaigner in learning her no-holds-barred autobiography has gone straight to No1 is in the social media feedback from readers who say the book is helping them confront their own life challenges.

On Friday, having been told Lisa: A memoir – 60 years of life, love & loss was in the top slot overall and for non-fiction on the Nielsen BookScan bestseller list in its first full week of sales, Ms Curry said she was thrilled and humbled her story had resonated with so many people.

“When you write a book you hope but you never really know how it will affect the people who read it,’’ she said.

Resonating with others facing challenges ... Lisa Curry and her book.

“My life’s ambition has always been to use my experiences to help others, ever since I was a teenager going to teachers’ college.

“The book has only been out for a week and I already know that my lived experiences have helped people in more ways than I ever imagined.”

The news comes two weeks after Ms Curry spoke exclusively to News Corp Australia about issues in the book she has never addressed before, including the final days of her beloved daughter Jaimi and losing her own mother, and announced she is on a mission to help others who suffer from mental illness and eating disorders.

Since then she has been inundated with messages on social media from members of the public who have found inspiration in its key messages, which she describes as: “Starting important conversations that need to be spoken about without shame, guilt or judgment. Failure, what that looks like, and how to get back up.

Confronting sensitive issues ... Lisa Curry with her late daughter Jaimi in 2017, in a photo from the book.

“And of course continuing to pursue what you really love the most – family, sport, adventure, life itself.

“There is always hope if you’re willing to put the hard work in.’’

The book covers Curry’s journey from childhood to now, blending humorous anecdotes with deeply serious and very personal revelations – such as the revelation that she had a termination aged 18 – and sheds light on the highs and lows of her extraordinary career, first as a Commonwealth and Olympics swimmer, and beyond.

Ms Curry also reveals for the first time how the much-loved Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin was dumped as Australian of the Year at the last moment and replaced by cricketer Steve Waugh, after video of the wildlife warrior feeding a croc while holding his baby son caused an outcry.

Straight into reprint ... Lisa Curry’s memoir has publishers HarperCollins fielding ‘extraordinary’ demand for copies.

Co-written with News Corp journalist Ellen Whinnett, the book’s success has had publishers HarperCollins rushing to keep up with demand.

“Lisa Curry’s memoir is one of the biggest Mother’s Day releases of the last decade. The demand for copies of Lisa’s inspiring memoir has been extraordinary,” said sales director Karen-Maree Griffiths.

“We have been inundated with reorders from Australian booksellers and retailers from all over the country. We pressed the reprint button on the day of publication and we are seeing big sales in the audio and ebook editions. Lisa truly continues to be Australia’s golden girl and the darling of the book industry for Mother’s Day 2022.”

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