Though it may feel like summer 2019 is drawing to a close, there’s still a month or so left open of the official window to relax and get lost in a good book.
That’s certainly what former President of the United States, Barack Obama, has been doing with his summer – well, we can’t vouch for the Aperol Spritz part but the politician has released a list of the books he’s been reading over the past couple of months on Instagram.
If it’s anything like his past book recommendations or just going on the fact of how much we loved Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming, we can count on there being some great books featured among the new list. Scroll down for the full list of recommendations from the 44th POTUS…
1. The collected works of Toni Morrison
Beloved by Toni Morrison Buy it here now
Just a few weeks after her passing, Obama has already paid tribute to the author by re-reading some of her best works. Obama advised ‘reading or re-reading’ Beloved, Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye and Sula plus ‘everything else’.
‘They’re transcendent, all of them,” he wrote on Instagram. “You’ll be glad you read them.”
2. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead Buy now
As well as including classics like Morrison, Obama also featured breand new books such as The Nickel Boys, which was released on August 1. The book by Pulitzer-winning Colson Whitehead tells the story of two boys sent to a ‘hellish reform school’ in Florida in the 1960s.
3. Exhalation by Ted Chiang
Exhalation by Ted Chiang Shop here
Exhalation is a new collection of nine short stories which ponder over the question of what is the nature of the universe? and what does it mean to be human?
They are the brainchild of science-fiction writer Ted Chiang, whose previous book Stories of Your Life and Others was the basis for the film Arrival which starred Matt Damon and Amy Adams.
4. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Shop now
First released in 2009 – and then developed into an award-winning BBC adaptation – Wolf Hall is a historical fictional novel chronicling Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII.
5. Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami Add to cart here
Another collection of short stories, which all tell the stories of men who find themselves alone, by acclaimed Japanese writer Haruki Murakami.
6. American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson
American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson Buy now
Despite once being commander in chief and overseeing a country’s intelligence operations, Obama still can’t resist a good old spy novel it seems.
American Spy is set in the Cold War year of 1968 and follows the young, female black FBI intelligence officer Marie Mitchell who is working among an old boys’ club.
7. The Shallows by Nicholas Carr
The Shallows by Nicholas Carr Get it here
This Pulitzer-finalist book examines the human race’s relationship with the internet and the consequential changes this has on us, our relationships and the way we live and communicate. Given that this book was first released eight years ago, there’s a high chance there’s even more layers added to the human-internet relationship to consider.
8. Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren Shop for it hereÂ
The memoir by Hope Jahren – a geobiologist who has spent her life studying trees, flowers, soil and more – also captured the former President’s attention. Jahren came from a Minnesota background to study in Norway, Ireland, the North Pole and Hawaii and looks back on all things to do with her life and career in the book.
9. Inland by Téa Obreht
Inland by Téa Obreht Get it now
Another new book makes Obama’s list in the form of Inland, a ‘mythical’ tale of the American Wild West in the mid 19th century.
10. How To Read The Air by Dinaw Mengestu
How To Read The Air by Dinaw Mengestu Shop here
This novel tells the story of Jonas, who after a failed marriage sets about to make sense of his past, including tracing the route his Ethiopian parents made when they left their home country for Nashville, Tennessee.
11. Maid by Stephanie Land
Maid by Stephanie Land Buy now
Stephanie Land released her memoir about her time working as a maid at the start of the year. Land tells how after becoming pregnant and ending up in a homeless shelter, she found work as a maid in order to provide for her daughter. She writes about serving the higher socioeconomic classes of society, while being paid minimally, and the effect that can have on a person.
From: ELLE UK