So far in 2008, four books published by Sen. Barack Obama between 2004 and fall 2008 have sold a combined 912,000 copies, according to Nielsen BookScan.

In comparison, Sen. John McCain's five titles, published between 1999 and summer 2008, have sold a total of 116,000 copies - almost 800,000 copies less than Obama.

Between January and September 21, 2008, McCain's top selling book, "Faith of My Fathers," sold 73,000 copies in hardcover, paperback, and audio editions.

The Obama campaign has written a 40-page rebuttal that criticizes author Jerome Corsi as "a discredited, fringe bigot" and his book as "rehashed lies."

The book is a compilation of all the allegations and innuendo against Obama - that he was raised a Muslim, attended a radical, black church and secretly has a black rage hidden beneath the surface. Obama's rebuttal is titled "Unfit For Publication" and is set to be posted on the Obama campaign's rumour-fighting website, FightTheSmears.com.

There was one question in particular of interest to us book lovers, and that came from a woman who asked what Obama would say to young writers. He was surprised by the question, which he admitted was one he hadn't heard before, but didn't hesitate to answer. He referenced his two books, and specifically mentioned how he wrote them himself, along with many of his speeches. With a light inflection, he said, "In terms of getting a job, knowing how to write is a good thing."

He talked about how he kept a journal, and how it was important for teaching him not only how to write, but also how to think. But my favorite part was when he said, "Over the course of four years I made time to read all of the Harry Potter books out loud to my daughters. If I can do that and run for president, then you can find time to read to your kids. That's some of the most special time you have with your children."