The First Lady Next Door Book Release

“First Lady Next Door” by Eliza Reid

The First Lady Next Door, by Eliza Reid, is the memoir of her time as Iceland’s First Lady, while her husband,  Guðni Th. Jóhannesson was Iceland’s President from 2016 to 2024. She subtitles the book “A Memoir of Iceland, Identity and Unexpected Adventure.”

Reid is a Canadian who met her future husband, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, while studying at Oxford University in England. They settled in Iceland and began their careers, he as a university professor, she as a writer. In the midst of raising a family, his career took a turn when he ran for the office of president and won in 2016. Reid suddenly found herself thrust on the world stage and needed to shift gears, quickly, to learn her new role. With no training manual available, one day she googled how to curtsey as part of her preparations for a meeting with the Queen of Denmark.

Her memoir captures the “duck out of water” sensation she felt while learning this new way of life, as well as her journey toward becoming a public figure and the responsibilities that entail. Stacey Abrams, #1 New York Times bestselling author, politician, and voting rights activist, praised Reid’s new book: “With her lovely debut memoir, former First Lady Eliza Reid shows women (and anyone paying attention) how to set their own course and defy expectations. She does so with a disarming humor, deep self-reflection, and a core set of values that never waver, even when her life takes dramatic turns.”

The Icelandic Release of “The First Lady Next Door”

The First Lady Next Door was released on April 21 in Iceland in an Icelandic translation by Magnea J. Matthíasdóttir, titled Og svo varð ég forsetafrú.  Her memoir releases in Canada on April 28. She begins her North American book launch tour in Ottawa, Canada, on April 23. After several more stops in Canada, she travels to the U.S. to make several stops in support of the book’s May 5 U.S. release date. Here is a partial list of her tour stops with more dates to be added:

April 30: Washington DC, National Press Club https://www.press.org/events/npc-headliners-first-lady-next-door-eliza-reid

May 5: New York City (Manhattan), Scandinavia House https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/event/the-first-lady-next-door-with-eliza-reid/

May 7: Los Angeles, CA, Zibby’s Bookstore https://www.eventbrite.com/e/author-event-with-eliza-reid-tickets-1987116904152?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

May 9: Minneapolis, American Swedish Institute, (event link not yet posted)

May 10: Montecito, CA, Godmothers Bookstore:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/godmothers-gather-eliza-reid-tickets-1986485940924?aff=oddtdtcreator