Barack Obama's Summer Reading List 2021 📚

I always find it fun to look through what Barack Obama has been reading and imagine I'm part of his book club. Here I discuss the 11 books on his 2021 summer reading list. Click ‘Show More’ for info & links.

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Books discussed & purchase links:

At Night All Blood is Black by David Diop

Land of Big Numbers by Te-Ping Chen

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut

Under A White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert

Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris

Intimacies by Katie Kitamura

My reviews of the books I've read so far:

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Get in touch

[DebMcDonald]

I pay attention to his book lists every time he puts them out. Thanks for doing this video telling us about the books.

[luizappicanco]

I would like if all presidents and political figures publicized their reading lists and book reviews. It would give us a better idea of what their influences and interests are. But then I remember politics is a practically a business now and they would probably hire people to post this kind of stuff for them.

[PaolaCardee]

Hi! Thank you for doing this video, it is exactly what I was hoping to find. I always try to read at least one book of Obama’s reading lists, but this time, I haven’t been as connected to reading as I used to, so I hadn’t heard of any of the books on his list.
I love the way you talk about the books, your passion is contagious.

[EpicReads]

Love the idea of joining the "imaginary book club"!! So many great reads, thank you for this!

[hollyc]

I also love seeing Obama’s book lists. He is such a book nerd. Love it! Thanks for sharing!

[saschoolcraft]

I look forward to his reading lists! I loved Klara and the Sun and am about to start At Night All Blood is Black. Love your channel!

[sandyokey]

I love reading other people’s lists, and usually I find books to add to my tbr list also. Thank you and have a great week.💚

[bianquita]

What a well-rounded reader Obama is. I've read Klara and the Sun. I have At Night All Blood is Black, Leave the World Behind on my TBR. So many books so little time ...

[heathersneddon]

Empire of Pain is absolutely stupendous. Incredibly researched. Best non-fiction book of the year for me. Very, very readable so although it is a large book, it really is easy to get through it quickly. A savage indictment of the Sacler family

[mradcaqbdb]

Ooh! Great list! I have read two already and have three more waiting to be read. The Sweetness of Water will definitely be the next one I buy. It sounds fantastic! I missed Obama’s tweet, so thanks for making this video, Eric!

[wanderjas]

Obama's reading list did not disappoint every year!🔥 I had only read Klara and The Sun and it's one of my faves this year too! The rest are all on my tbr.

[nirajsolanki]

I do not know about Obama's imaginary book club, but would definitely want to be a part of your book club for sure. Thank you for the video. I marvel at the energy and passion with which you talk about books. It is infectious. :-)

[AnaWallaceJohnson]

love these. Empire of Pain has been looming in my peripheral for a bit & maybe this is the push I need

[rosarodriguez]

Some of them sound very interesting…worth checking them out. Thanks for the video! 🙏🏻🤗

[d.m.]

Cool video! I hadn’t heard he released his summer favorites. I’m reading one of his favorites from last year, Long Bright River and I am loving it!! I will definitely look into some of his other favorites. Such a diverse collection!

[iuwsvhs]

Love this. Obama’s lists have brought some great books into my life in the past and now Empire of Pain is on my Radar.

[japanagogo]

Whaaa!!! Already have read four of these: Klara, Leave, White Sky and Big Numbers. Next is Eric Nguyen's book. Labatut's looks interesting as well...

[ausnikki]

I love that his list is putting a spotlight on a lot of minority authors. My TBR list just got bigger.

[jessicalowe]

I haven't read Under the White Sky yet, but I had to read The Sixth Extinction for my ecology course and it was very interesting. (It's about the many species and habitats affected by humans. Sounds depressing, but I love how Kolbert also writes about the positive effects we've had + details how there's still hope for species). Plus, she writes in such a simple and accessible yet informative way. I highly recommend it! I hope you enjoy your books Eric! Let us know your partner's thoughts on Leave the World Behind if he ever gets around to reading it LOL

[curtjarrell]

The Sweetness of Water is on my 'maybe' list. I'd add it without hesitation but for the fact that I just made a book haul of a half dozen novels by Haruki Murakami after reading his memoir, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (loved it) and other books.