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Kamala Harris’s Literary TourHow the Written Word Becomes a Tool for a Political VisionThe former Vice President has invented a new form of book tour. By Jazmin Agudelo for Ruta Pantera on 1/6/2026 8:53:46 AM |
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| In September 2025, Kamala Harris released 107 Days, a memoir that recounts the intense 107 days of her 2024 presidential campaign, from Joe Biden’s withdrawal to Election Day. Published by Simon & Schuster, the book not only offers an intimate look at the internal challenges of that whirlwind race, but has also become the centerpiece of an ambitious literary tour extending into 2026. This tour, featuring dozens of events in packed theaters and auditoriums, demonstrates how Harris integrates the written word into her political project, transforming defeat into a platform to reconnect with voters and chart a path forward. The origins of 107 Days lie in the need to process a campaign marked by urgency and adversity. Harris, who assumed the Democratic nomination in July 2024 after Biden stepped aside, describes in the book chaotic strategy sessions, debate preparation under intense pressure, and private moments of reflection. She collaborated with novelist Geraldine Brooks to give the narrative an almost novelistic tone, setting it apart from traditional political memoirs. The title refers to the brevity of her candidacy—the shortest in modern history—and the text blends personal candor with veiled criticism of party decisions, such as Biden’s choice to seek reelection. The tour began on September 24 at The Town Hall in New York, with a moderated event that drew thousands of enthusiastic supporters. From there, Harris traveled to cities including Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, often in partnership with independent bookstores. The events feature intimate conversations, frequently alongside celebrities such as Kerry Washington, as well as VIP packages with photos and signed copies. In October, she crossed the Atlantic for a stop in London, expanding her international reach. By November, she arrived in Portland, Toronto, Nashville, and Miami, solidifying a first phase that sold out quickly. |
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Book Tour as Political Movement
What makes this tour distinctive is its evolution into a political forum disguised as a literary promotion. Harris does more than sign books; she discusses resilience, leadership, and the need for an “alternative vision” for the United States in the post-Trump era. In Los Angeles, before sold-out audiences at the Wiltern Theatre, she emphasized the importance of listening to disillusioned communities. Some events have faced interruptions from protests related to foreign policy, but Harris has handled them with composure, reinforcing her image as a calm prosecutor. The book, a New York Times bestseller with hundreds of thousands of copies sold, serves as a catalyst for these dialogues. In December 2025, Harris announced an extension of the tour through April 2026, adding strategic cities such as New Orleans, Memphis, Richmond, Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, Oakland, Sacramento, and San Diego. This second phase includes stops in key states and areas with strong minority Democratic presence, such as Mississippi and Alabama. Analysts view this as a calculated move: not only to sell books, but to maintain visibility ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and possible future ambitions. Her spokesperson has stated that the tour aims to “listen and share” concerns about future leadership. Compared with her earlier memoir, The Truths We Hold (2019), which presented an optimistic and programmatic vision, 107 Days is more introspective and critical. Harris admits her own mistakes while pointing to external factors, such as party dynamics. This personal narrative humanizes her image, appealing to young people and women who see her as an inspiration. The collaboration with local bookstores underscores a commitment to literary culture, contrasting with purely digital campaigns. The integration of literature into Harris’s political project reveals a sophisticated strategy: using the book as a bridge between past and future. In a landscape where political memoirs often serve to rehabilitate images or prepare the ground, her tour amplifies messages of unity and diversity. Emotion-filled events, marked by ovations and tears, show that her base remains loyal and ready to mobilize. This literary tour goes beyond the promotion of 107 Days. It represents Harris’s attempt to redefine her legacy, turning the written word into an instrument of persuasion and mobilization. In times of polarization, it demonstrates that personal stories can be as powerful as campaign speeches, paving the way for what many speculate could be a new chapter in her political trajectory. |
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References: Cable News Network. (2025, diciembre 10). Kamala Harris is extending her book tour in 2026 and hitting politically important territory. CNN Politics. https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/10/politics/kamala-harris-2026-tour Politico. (2025, septiembre 26). Kamala Harris’ Alternate Reality Book Tour. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/09/26/kamala-harris-book-tour-new-york-dispatch-00581004 107 Days Book. (2025). Official tour website. https://107daysbook.com/ Wikipedia. (2025, diciembre 24). 107 Days. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/107_Days Consequence. (2025, diciembre 10). Kamala Harris Announces 2026 Book Tour: How to Get Tickets. https://consequence.net/2025/12/kamala-harris-2026-book-tour-how-to-get-tickets/ Los Angeles Times. (2025, octubre 30). Commentary: These are thirsty times. No wonder Kamala Harris' book tour is a fan fest. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-10-30/kamala-harris-stops-in-l-a-on-her-book-tour |
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