Continuing a longstanding tradition, former President Barack Obama took to social media to share a list of the books he recommends this summer.
On the social platform X, Obama posted, “It’s that time of year again: here are some of the books I’ve enjoyed this summer. If you’ve read any good ones, let me know!”
Fiction books recommended by Obama include the novels Kin by Tayari Jones, The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout, Whistler by Ann Patchett, Vigil by George Saunders, Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu, Transcription by Ben Lerner, Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead, and the story collection One Sun Only by Camille Bordas.
Three nonfiction books made the cut for Obama’s list: A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness by Michael Pollan; This Land Is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History by Beverly Gage; and Data Empire: The Power of Information To Organize, Control, and Dominate by Roopika Risam.
Obama also reposted a video shared by the Obama Foundation, in which the former president urged readers to read a book at his recently opened presidential center, which features a branch of the Chicago Public Library.
The video featured library patrons choosing a book from a table with all of Obama’s summer reading picks.
“Elizabeth Strout, obviously,” enthused one reader, with another exclaiming, “Ann Patchett, my girl!”
Jones’ Kin was a popular pick with the readers, with one saying, “This is one of my favorite books of the year,” and another commenting, “The family dynamic was off the chain!”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
