Every Summer Reading List Barack Obama Has Shared Over the Past 10 Years

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Barack Obama has offered some top-notch Summer book recommendations over the past 10 years, and we're steadily making our way through them all. His most recent compilation features the work of Toni Morrison, as well as Ted Chiang and Haruki Murakami. But his picks from years past — including Michael Ondaatje's Warlight and Paula Hawkins's The Girl on the Train — are also worth a read. If you're looking to expand your book collection, we've assembled every captivating title from all of the former president's Summer reading lists!

01
Aug. 2009 — The Way Home by George Pelecanos
Amazon

Aug. 2009 — The Way Home by George Pelecanos

    What it's about: After walking away from a dark past and getting his life together, Christopher Flynn chooses whether he wants to return to his old ways when a new temptation arises. But regardless of his decision, his former life is coming back to haunt him.

The Way Home by George Pelecanos ($12)

02
Aug. 2009 — Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Tom Friedman
Amazon

Aug. 2009 — Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Tom Friedman

    What it's about: Friedman details the urgent need for environmental conservation and renewal while explaining the historical causes that have threatened the planet's stability and well-being.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Tom Friedman ($14)

03
Aug. 2009 — Lush Life by Richard Price
Amazon

Aug. 2009 — Lush Life by Richard Price

    What it's about: Cafe manager Eric Cash's life suddenly turns upside-down when he witnesses the murder of his friend and is arrested for the crime. Told in a series of vignettes, this story peels back the layers of each main character and encourages the reader to see things from different perspectives.

Lush Life by Richard Price ($13)

04
Aug. 2009 — Plainsong by Kent Haruf
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Aug. 2009 — Plainsong by Kent Haruf

    What it's about: Set in Colorado, Plainsong follows the stories of several characters with a common thread. Through their respective struggles and experiences, you learn about the importance of family, community, and redemption.

Plainsong by Kent Haruf ($15, originally $16)

05
Aug. 2009 — John Adams by David McCullough
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Aug. 2009 — John Adams by David McCullough

    What it's about: This biography recounts the life and work of Founding Father John Adams.

John Adams by David McCullough ($16, originally $20)

06
Aug. 2010 — Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
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Aug. 2010 — Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

    What it's about: A married couple's relationship and lifestyle undergo drastic changes as they're forced to confront their pasts and hope for a better future.

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen ($17, originally $18)

07
Aug. 2010 — Tinkers by Paul Harding
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Aug. 2010 — Tinkers by Paul Harding

    What it's about: An old man on his deathbed transcends the physical realm and enters a hallucination in which he reconnects with his late father and revisits his upbringing.

Tinkers by Paul Harding ($17)

08
Aug. 2010 — A Few Corrections by Brad Leithauser
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Aug. 2010 — A Few Corrections by Brad Leithauser

    What it's about: A narrator with questionable motives uncovers information about a deceased man named Wesley Sultan. While Wesley's obituary paints a specific picture of him, the narrator reveals a different side to him.

A Few Corrections by Brad Leithauser ($16)

09
Aug. 2011 — The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
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Aug. 2011 — The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

    What it's about: This book tells the story of America's Great Migration and the Second Great Migration, particularly African Americans' relocation from the South to the Midwest, Northeast, and West. Taking place between 1915 and 1970, the book details the cultural occurrence while highlighting the biographies of three people.

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson ($15, originally $18)

10
Aug. 2011 — Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
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Aug. 2011 — Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

    What it's about: Twin brothers Marion and Shiva Stone were born of a secret union between an Indian nun and a British surgeon at a mission hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After the death of their mother and disappearance of their father, they experience a major rift in their relationship that forever changes their lives.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese ($14, originally $17)

11
Aug. 2011 — Rodin’s Debutante by Ward Just
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Aug. 2011 — Rodin’s Debutante by Ward Just

    What it's about: Lee Goodell's endeavor to become a successful sculptor in Chicago leads him down an emotional path of love, understanding, and finding oneself.

Rodin's Debutante by Ward Just ($16)

12
Aug. 2011 — To the End of the Land by David Grossman
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Aug. 2011 — To the End of the Land by David Grossman

    What it's about: A mother must deal with the consequences of her son's dedication to serving in the military when his unit in the Israeli army launches an invasion against the Palestinians of the Second Intifada.

To the End of the Land by David Grossman ($10)

13
Aug. 2011 — The Bayou Trilogy by Daniel Woodrell
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Aug. 2011 — The Bayou Trilogy by Daniel Woodrell

    What it's about: Detective Rene Shade is uncompromising when it comes to cracking down on crime. But his job is hardly cut-and-dry as he takes on hit men, porn kings, and ex-cons while dealing with his own shady past.

The Bayou Trilogy by Daniel Woodrell ($16, originally $17)

14
Aug. 2014 — A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
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Aug. 2014 — A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

    What it's about: After 8-year-old Havaa watches Russian soldiers abduct her father and set fire to her home, she's rescued by her neighbor, Akhmed. Havaa is then taken to a doctor named Sonja, who tends to wounded refugees. As their relationship develops, it becomes clear that Havaa and Sonja's fates are tied together.

Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra ($16, originally $17)

15
Aug. 2014 — The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
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Aug. 2014 — The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan

    What it's about: Dorrigo Evans is an Australian doctor who's troubled by a love affair with his uncle's wife. He eventually decides to go on his own journey that takes him through the caves of Tasmanian trappers, a deteriorating prewar beachside hotel, a Thai jungle prison, and other fascinating sites.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan ($13)

16
Aug. 2014 — The Laughing Monsters by Denis Johnson
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Aug. 2014 — The Laughing Monsters by Denis Johnson

    What it's about: When Roland Nair reunites with his old friend Michael Adriko, he's introduced to his pal's fiancée. The three begin a trek to visit Michael's clan in the Uganda-Congo borderland, and the expedition begins to unveil secrets that all of them have hidden from one another.

The Laughing Monsters by Denis Johnson ($15)

17
Aug. 2014 — Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín
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Aug. 2014 — Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín

    What it's about: Nora Webster, a recently widowed Irish woman, struggles to take care of herself and her children while grieving the loss of her husband, Maurice.

Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín ($6, originally $16)

18
Aug. 2014 — Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
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Aug. 2014 — Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande

    What it's about: This nonfiction piece by Gawande, a practicing surgeon, explores the adverse effects some medical procedures have on saving lives.

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande ($14, originally $17)

19
Aug. 2014 — Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China by Evan Osnos
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Aug. 2014 — Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China by Evan Osnos

    What it's about: Evan Osnos, the Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker from 2005 to 2013, outlines China's social, political, and economic upheavals as citizens and the Communist Party fight for control.

Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China by Evan Osnos ($15, originally $16)

20
Aug. 2015 — All That Is by James Salter
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Aug. 2015 — All That Is by James Salter

    What it's about: The book follows the life of Philip Bowman from his time as a junior Naval officer near the end of World War II to his career as an editor at a New York publishing house.

All That Is by James Salter ($17)

21
Aug. 2015 — The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
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Aug. 2015 — The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert

    What it's about: Kolbert, a science writer for The New Yorker, investigates the effects of global warming and warns of devastating effects that could take place within the century.

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert ($15, originally $18)

22
Aug. 2015 — Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
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Aug. 2015 — Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

    What it's about: Coates discusses the intricacies of the black experience in America by writing this book in the form of a letter to his son.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates ($16, originally $26)

23
Aug. 2015 — The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
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Aug. 2015 — The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

    What it's about: Two close brothers drift apart by one's commitment to the Naxalite movement in India.

The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri ($15, originally $16)

24
Aug. 2015 — All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
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Aug. 2015 — All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

    What it's about: During the World War II era, a blind French girl named Marie-Laure LeBlanc crosses paths with a German boy named Werner Pfennig, who is training to become a Nazi. What starts off as a mission to kill Marie-Laure for sending illegal radio transmissions from occupied France leads to an unexpected bond.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr ($12, originally $17)

25
Aug. 2015 — Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
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Aug. 2015 — Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow

    What it's about: This biography about the first commander in chief, George Washington, delves deep into the historical figure's contributions to forming federal government and establishing the US presidency.

Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow ($18, originally $22)

26
Aug. 2016 — Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan
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Aug. 2016 — Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan

    What it's about: On the surface, Finnegan's memoir centers around his adventures as a surfer, riding the waves of various coasts around the world. But as you get deeper into the story, it becomes clear that his adventures in Australia, Africa, the South Pacific, and Asia go far beyond his saltwater exploits.

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan ($15, originally $18)

27
Aug. 2016 — H Is For Hawk by Helen Macdonald
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Aug. 2016 — H Is For Hawk by Helen Macdonald

    What it's about: Following the sudden death of her father, author and falconer Macdonald decides to adopt Mabel, a goshawk, to cope with her loss. Although that particular bird species is known to be fierce and untamed, Macdonald feels connected to Mabel for that very reason. This memoir documents the year she spent training the powerful animal.

H Is For Hawk by Helen Macdonald ($6)

28
Aug. 2016 — The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
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Aug. 2016 — The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

    What it's about: This psychological thriller — which was turned into the 2016 film led by Emily Blunt — tells the story of Rachel, an alcoholic still reeling from the end of her marriage to Tom. But the two are hardly out of each other's lives as Rachel becomes involved in a tragedy that not only affects Tom and his new family, but also uncovers devastating details about their failed marriage.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins ($10)

29
Aug. 2016 — Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
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Aug. 2016 — Seveneves by Neal Stephenson

    What it's about: Survivors of the apocalyptic disintegration of the moon fight to save humanity and create a new civilization.

Seveneves by Neal Stephenson ($13)

30
Aug. 2016 — The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
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Aug. 2016 — The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

    What it's about: Cora and Caesar, two slaves in 19th century Georgia, make a run for freedom by following the Underground Railroad. Already with a target on their back, things get even more complicated after Cora kills a young white boy who tries to detain her.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead ($10)

31
July 2018 — Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
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July 2018 — Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

    What it's about: Protagonist Okonkwo Achebe is a wrestling champion in the fictional Nigerian clan of Umuofia. The story details his life and family history and how everything changes following the late nineteenth century arrival of British colonialism and Christian missionaries.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe ($11, originally $13)

32
July 2018 — A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o
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July 2018 — A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o

    What it's about: During Kenya's fight for independence from Britain in the late-1950s, A Grain of Wheat laces together various stories amid the Mau Mau Uprising.

A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong'o ($16, originally $17)

33
July 2018 — Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
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July 2018 — Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

    What it's about: The late civil rights leader writes about his life and the 27 years he spent in prison.

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela ($12)

34
July 2018 — Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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July 2018 — Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

    What it's about: This novel tells the tale of Nigerian woman Ifemelu and her experience of moving to the United States to attend college, bridging cultures, and falling in love.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ($13, originally 16)

35
July 2018 — The Return by Hisham Matar
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July 2018 — The Return by Hisham Matar

    What it's about: Matar's memoir focuses on his 2012 return to Libya and his investigation surrounding the disappearance of his father — a notable political insurgent of the Gaddafi government.

The Return by Hisham Matar ($16, originally $17)

36
July 2018 — The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes
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July 2018 — The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes

    What it's about: Rhodes — Obama's former adviser — opens up about what it was like working as a White House staffer during the 44th president's two terms.

The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes ($17, originally $18)

37
Aug. 2018 — Educated by Tara Westover
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Aug. 2018 — Educated by Tara Westover

    What it's about: Westover gets open and honest about her abusive childhood with survivalist Mormon parents and how she escaped through education.

Educated by Tara Westover ($25)

38
Aug. 2018 — Warlight by Michael Ondaatje
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Aug. 2018 — Warlight by Michael Ondaatje

    What it's about: After World War II, siblings Nathaniel and Rachel are left in the care of a mysterious figure named The Moth. Initially fearing they were abandoned by their parents, they begin to believe there's more to the situation.

Warlight by Michael Ondaatje ($13)

39
Aug. 2018 — A House for Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul
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Aug. 2018 — A House for Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul

    What it's about: Inadvertently causing the death of his father (and fulfilling a prophecy given at birth), Mohun Biswas moves from house to house in search of stability and a sense of belonging.

A House for Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul ($12)

40
Aug. 2018 — An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Amazon

Aug. 2018 — An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

    What it's about: The lives of newlyweds Celestial and Roy are suddenly upended by a tragic incident, leading to a decade of strained love, tension, and heartbreak.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones ($14)

41
Aug. 2018 — Factfulness by Hans Rosling
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Aug. 2018 — Factfulness by Hans Rosling

    What it's about: Rosling challenges the normalized view of the world and the perception that some countries aren't "developed." He explains how the world is actually getting better instead of worse.

Factfulness by Hans Rosling ($12)

42
Aug. 2019 — The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
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Aug. 2019 — The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

    What it's about: Two boys are forced to attend a hellish reform school called the Nickel Academy in Jim Crow-era Florida. Based on the real-life Dozier School for Boys — which shut down in 2011 — the they are exposed to horrid living conditions, torture, sexual abuse, and more.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead ($15, originally $25)

43
Aug. 2019 — Exhalation by Ted Chiang
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Aug. 2019 — Exhalation by Ted Chiang

    What it's about: In this collection of sci-fi stories, Chiang explores the meaning of humanity and hypothesizes the existence of alternate universes.

Exhalation by Ted Chiang ($21, originally $26)

44
Aug. 2019 — Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
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Aug. 2019 — Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

    What it's about: This fictionalized biography chronicles Thomas Cromwell's rise to power within Henry VIII's English court in the early 16th century.

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel ($16, originally $18)

45
Aug. 2019 — Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
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Aug. 2019 — Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami

    What it's about: Men recount times in which they've lost a woman to another man, death, or other circumstances.

Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami ($14, originally $16)

46
Aug. 2019 — American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson
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Aug. 2019 — American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson

    What it's about: Marie Mitchell is a young, black intelligence officer working with the FBI. Though brilliant, she's often undervalued and underestimated. So when an opportunity comes to flip the script, she takes it.

American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson ($24, originally $27)

47
Aug. 2019 — The Shallows by Nicholas Carr
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Aug. 2019 — The Shallows by Nicholas Carr

    What it's about: Carr digs deep into the consequences of the internet and how it affects our ability to read and think.

The Shallows by Nicholas Carr ($14, originally $16)

48
Aug. 2019 — Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
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Aug. 2019 — Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

    What it's about: Jahren's memoir follows the process of her research in botanical biology and how it connects to her personal life.

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren ($13, originally $16)

49
Aug. 2019 — Inland by Téa Obreht
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Aug. 2019 — Inland by Téa Obreht

    What it's about: The stories of two characters — Nora, a frontierswoman who is awaiting the return of lost family members, and Lurie, a man haunted by ghosts — intertwine during their respective expeditions through the Arizona Territory.

Inland by Téa Obreht ($20, originally $27)

50
Aug. 2019 — How to Read the Air by Dinaw Mengestu
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Aug. 2019 — How to Read the Air by Dinaw Mengestu

    What it's about: Yosef and Mariam, a young Ethiopian couple, move to Illinois to raise a family. Decades later, their son sets out to retrace their family history and gain a better understanding of where he comes from.

How to Read the Air by Dinaw Mengestu ($14, originally $15)

51
Aug. 2019 — Maid by Stephanie Land
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Aug. 2019 — Maid by Stephanie Land

    What it's about: Land's memoir traverses through her experiences working as a maid while examining the issues of poverty in America.

Maid by Stephanie Land ($22, originally $27)