Prince Harry’s memoir Spare is once again making headlines, but not for the reasons he’d hoped. Despite its initial success as the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time, the book has earned a less-than-glamorous title for the second consecutive year: the most traded-in biography of 2024. After its explosive release in 2023, Spare made a big splash with its candid anecdotes about the Royal Family and Harry’s personal life, including his relationship with Meghan Markle and even quirky details about his life experiences. However, after readers consumed it, many appeared uninterested in keeping it on their shelves.
The paperback release of Spare in 2023 didn’t achieve the same success as its hardback counterpart, and this year, its status as the most traded-in book suggests that many readers felt little desire to revisit or retain it. The second-hand book platform We Buy Books reported purchasing 567 copies of Spare in 2024 alone, and so many copies are now in circulation that they are no longer accepting the book for trade-ins.
While the negative press surrounding this “honor” may sting, there’s still a silver lining for Harry. The book’s sales helped secure substantial profits, and rumors about a possible sequel or a memoir from Meghan Markle continue to swirl. Additionally, Prince William might consider entering the memoir game as well, possibly releasing a book titled Heir, which could offer an interesting counterpoint to Harry’s narrative.
So, while Spare may not have earned lasting affection among readers, its initial impact and the ongoing chatter around Harry’s royal story ensure that it remains part of the conversation.