Barack Obama Shares 2024 Reading List: Immigration, Conspiracy, Masculinity

Former US President Barack Obama has unveiled his summer reading list for 2024.

Continuing a tradition he began in 2015 when he was still in the White House, the 44th president shared his favorite books and music selections. “I’ve read some great books over the last few months and wanted to share some of my favorites. Let me know if you have any recommendations for books I should check out!” he wrote in a caption on Instagram and X/Twitter.

Among the books Obama picked is the Booker Prize longlisted “Headshot” by Rita Bullwinkel and “The Ministry of Time” by British debut author Kaliane Bradley, which has been one of the most talked-about books of the summer. Other notable mentions include “James” by Percival Everett, also longlisted for the Booker Prize and considered a strong contender to win, and “Help Wanted” by Adelle Waldman, a book detailing the lives of warehouse workers.

Obama’s selections reflect his continued political engagement but also a love for well-crafted literature. The list paints a picture of a reader who enjoys deep concepts delivered through excellent writing.

Among his non-fiction choices is “Reading Genesis” by Marilynne Robinson, a writer whom Obama calls a “friend” and has consistently celebrated throughout his career. Previously, he mentioned that one of his all-time favorite characters in fiction is pastor John Ames from Robinson’s novel “Gilead”. “Reading Genesis” explores Christian scripture and its insights into human nature.

Several selections reflect Obama’s political interests amid current cultural debates, including books related to conspiracy theories, immigration, the masculinity crisis, and imperial ambition. Titles in this category include “When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and how America Cracked up in the 1990s” by John Ganz, “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters and What to Do About It” by Richard Reeves, “Everyone Who is Gone Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis” by Jonathan Blitzer, and “The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact, and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain Cook” by Hampton Sides.

Another interesting addition is “Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbar, which chronicles one Iranian-American’s experience with grief following the death of his mother.

This year, Obama included a few more books than usual. Among them are the autobiography “There’s Always this Year: On Basketball and Ascension” by Hanif Abdurraqib, the mystery novel “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore, the short story collection “Beautiful Days” by Zach Williams, and the historical fiction novel “Memory Piece” by Lisa Ko.