'My Fractured Life' Hollywood Scandal Up 177,000 in Barnes & Nobel Sales Rankings

Sales of the Hollywood scandal novel "My Fractured Life" by Rikki Lee Travolta continue to climb at a record pace in figures from Barnes & Nobel.

PRWEB, SEPTEMBER 17, 2003=== In the latest figures from Barnes & Nobel, the book "My Fractured Life" by Rikki Lee Travolta has moved up over 177,000 spots in its sales rankings between the week of September 8 and the week of September 15, 2003.

Barnes & Nobel further reports that "My Fractured Life" continues to share popularity among buyers with its fourth ranked seller "Bleachers" by John Grisham and "Living History" (ranked #57) by Hillary Clinton.

"I guess I won't have to run for Governor of California after all," joked Travolta when informed of the rapid escalating sales growth of his novel. Current recall candidates to replace Gray Davis for the California Governorship include action star Arnold Schwarzenegger and "Different Strokes" alum Gary Coleman.

Although he may not have immediate plans to join the California Governor's race, Travolta can expect at least one vote when the poles open.

"When I don't have a distinct opinion on a best candidate for a official office, I always write myself in," admits Travolta with his trademark straight-faced humor. "When in doubt, write in Rikki Lee Travolta. One of these days I'm going to get a call that I'm the Mayor by default."

New figures from Barnes & Nobel show that the Travolta book has jumped in sales with those customers also purchasing "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" by Walter Isaacson (#35).

In the week prior to the most recent sales rank jump of over 177,000, for the week of September 1 through September 8, sales of Travolta's book captured media attention with record growth moving up 97,000 spots in the sales ranking. The combined two weeks sale rank growth is 275,080 (from 617,799 to 342,719).

Reviews at top U.K. retailer Blackwell's Bookstore refer to "My Fractured Life" as "among the all time great tortured soul books." At Amazon.com, reviews make comparisons to "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck and "The Basketball Diaries" by Jim Carroll.

Steinbeck's "East of Eden" was adapted into a film starring legendary icon James Dean in his first breakthrough leading role. "The Basketball Diaries" was adapted for the screen as a vehicle for Academy Award-nominee Leonardo DeCaprio.

Reviews at Barnes & Nobel.com call Travolta's gritty look at the temptations of notoriety as "tailor made for Leonardo DeCaprio." The book tells the behind the scenes story of the price of fame for actors in Hollywood and on Broadway.

"That'll probably lead to more sales than comparisons to Snoop Dogg's Fizzle Televizzle," said Travolta, before taking a more reverent tone. "Leo is one of the great box office stars of our time. He is a great actor. I'm honored."

As struggling teen actors, Travolta and DiCaprio both read for the role of Luke on the television series "Growing Pains." DeCaprio eventually beat Travolta out for the role and graduated to the films "Romeo & Juliet" from director Baz Luhrmann, "Titanic" from James Cameron, and "Catch Me if You Can" from Steven Spielberg.

Port Magee Pictures is developing "My Fractured Life" through an exclusive pitch rights arrangement. Port Magee Pictures produced the 2002 television series "Santiara." Principal partners Dan Riley and Peter J. Clark hold individual credits on "The Original Kings of Comedy," "Superstar," "The Wood," and "The Core."

Book and media retailer Amazon.com reports that New York Times bestsellers "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson and "The Kennedy Curse" by Edward Klein share popularity among the same audience of purchasers as "My Fractured Life."

Ingram Book Group is the primary distributor of the Travolta novel. The company and its subsidiaries maintain a National Book Clubs Standing Order Program that supplies selections of the Today Show's "Today Book Club," Good Morning America's "Read This!" program, the USA Today Book Club, and the "Reading with Ripa" light fiction program of Live with Regis and Kelly.

Amazon.com offers the popular Travolta book to International audiences through www.Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom), www.Amazom.de (Germany), www.Amazon.fr (France), www.Amazon.co.jp (Japan), and www.Amazon.ca (Canada).

In February 2003, Rikki Lee Travolta became the first member of his family to appear in the starring role of Danny Zuko in the musical "Grease" since John Travolta's appearance in the 1978 film adaptation. Travolta's credits include work with Ron Howard, Rob Reiner, Liza Minnelli, Matthew McConaughey, and Woody Harrelson.

Of mixed Italian and Native American (Nez Perce) heritage, Travolta was listed on the 45 annual Grammy Awards nomination ballot in six categories and has appeared throughout the world in headlining roles in "Tony n' Tina's Wedding," "West Side Story," and "Bye Bye Birdie." His recordings include songs from the award winning Broadway musicals "Rent," "Les Miserables," "Evita," and "Miss Saigon."