Barack Obama Book List 2022

Arvel Dibbert 16 Jun 2025

Barack Obama Book List 2022 - His Favorite Reads

Every year, it seems, when a certain former president shares what he's been reading, people really pay attention. It's almost like everyone stops for a moment to see what books caught his eye. This tradition, which has been going on for a good while now, really gives folks a peek into the kinds of stories and ideas that hold his interest. You know, it's a pretty cool way to get some fresh ideas for your own reading pile.

This particular time around, for 2022, the former president made his annual picks public on July 27th. He put out his choices, as he often does, on Instagram, sharing both his preferred books and even some movies and music. It’s a moment that many look forward to, waiting to see which titles made the cut from his personal reading adventures. He pretty much says he always enjoys putting these lists out there for everyone to see, which is rather nice.

So, if you've been wondering what books were on Barack Obama's book list 2022, you're in the right spot. We'll take a closer look at the titles he recommended, what makes them special, and what this yearly tradition tells us about his reading tastes. It’s pretty interesting to see what someone with such a background chooses to spend his time reading, honestly.

About Barack Obama
What is the Barack Obama Book List 2022 All About?
The Books That Made the Barack Obama Book List 2022
Are There Any Surprises on the Barack Obama Book List 2022?
How Does the Barack Obama Book List 2022 Compare to Other Popular Reads?
The Tradition of the Barack Obama Book List 2022
What Types of Books Are on the Barack Obama Book List 2022?
Where Can You Find the Barack Obama Book List 2022?

About Barack Obama

Barack Obama is, of course, someone many people know. He served as a former president. He’s also someone who has made sharing his personal reading choices a regular thing, something he’s been doing for quite a while now. This yearly sharing of his favorite books, movies, and even music, has turned into a much-anticipated event for many. It’s a way, you know, for people to connect with him on a more personal level, seeing what sorts of stories and ideas he finds compelling. He’s pretty much always looking forward to sharing these lists, which is a nice touch.

Personal Details
Detail	Information
Role	Former President
Spouse	Michelle Obama

What is the Barack Obama Book List 2022 All About?

The Barack Obama book list 2022 is, well, it’s his personal selection of books that he enjoyed reading during that year. It's more or less a snapshot of his reading habits, a collection of titles that resonated with him for various reasons. This particular list, put out in July of 2022, gave everyone a chance to see what kind of stories and ideas were occupying his thoughts. It’s not just a random collection, either; it tends to be quite thoughtful, reflecting a mix of different styles and subjects. He posted it on his Instagram page, saying he had read some truly great books and wanted to share his favorites up to that point. He even asked his followers what they had been reading, which is kind of cool, isn't it?

For this specific year, the 2022 list, he picked out thirteen titles. These included a good number of fiction works, nine of them actually, and four nonfiction pieces. It’s also worth noting that the authors behind these books were quite varied. Eight of the chosen books were written by women, and another eight were by BIPOC authors. This really shows a wide range of voices and perspectives in his selections. It’s pretty clear he looks for a broad set of experiences in his reading, which is something many people appreciate. So, it's not just about the books themselves, but also about the people who wrote them, in a way.

The Books That Made the Barack Obama Book List 2022

When you look at the Barack Obama book list 2022, some titles really stand out, and for good reason. One of the first books he mentioned, and he was a bit biased on this one, was *The Light We Carry* by Michelle Obama. It’s pretty sweet that he included his wife’s book, showing a personal touch right from the start. That’s a book that, you know, many people were probably already interested in, so his mention just added to its appeal.

Then there's *Sea of Tranquility* by Emily St. John Mandel. This one, released in 2022, is the sixth book from this Canadian writer. It falls into the category of speculative fiction, which means it plays with ideas that aren't quite real but make you think about possibilities. It’s the kind of book that can really get your mind working, exploring what-ifs and different futures. So, that’s a pretty interesting choice for someone who reads so widely.

Another book on the list was *Silverview* by John le Carré. This particular book holds a special place because it’s John le Carré’s final novel, his twenty-sixth one, published after he passed away in 2020 at the age of eighty-nine. It’s described as a slender volume, just a little over two hundred pages, which means it’s a relatively quick read, but still packs a punch, finishing up his impressive body of work. It’s kind of a poignant choice, in some respects, to include an author’s last work.

He also included *Samuel Adams* by Stacy Schiff. This is a nonfiction pick, offering a look into a historical figure. It’s a book that probably gives readers a chance to learn something new about the past, maybe even see things from a different angle. So, that’s a good example of the mix of topics he enjoys. Plus, there were two books that were also "Read with Jenna" picks, which shows a bit of overlap with other popular reading selections, honestly.

Are There Any Surprises on the Barack Obama Book List 2022?

When you look at the Barack Obama book list 2022, you might wonder if there are any unexpected choices. One thing that stands out, if you're into literary awards, is that none of the books he selected for his 2022 list were on the Booker Prize longlist for that year. That list featured works by writers like Noviolet Bulawayo, Hernan Diaz, Percival Everett, Karen Joy Fowler, Alan Garner, and Shehan. This means his picks were pretty much independent of what was getting big literary buzz at the time, which is kind of interesting. It suggests he’s picking what he genuinely likes, rather than what’s currently in the spotlight.

His lists, you know, always tend to be filled with all sorts of unique books. They aren't always the ones everyone else is talking about at that exact moment, which is what makes them so appealing to many readers. It’s like getting a personal recommendation from someone who has a really wide and varied taste in books. So, in a way, the surprise isn't necessarily a single book, but perhaps the consistent originality of his choices year after year. He really seems to go for things that catch his personal interest, which is pretty cool.

How Does the Barack Obama Book List 2022 Compare to Other Popular Reads?

It's natural to compare the Barack Obama book list 2022 with what other people are reading or what's generally popular. For example, the text mentions "the most popular books of May, according to Libby" and "the bestselling books of the week, according to all the lists." It also talks about "the most popular new books on Goodreads in 2025 (so far)" and "the most read books on Goodreads in 2025 (so far)." There's even a mention of data on audiobook trends, showing that more than half of Americans have listened to an audiobook. So, you see, there are lots of ways to measure what's popular.

However, Obama's list seems to operate a little differently. As mentioned, his selections for 2022 did not overlap with the Booker Prize longlist, which is a major literary award. This suggests his choices aren't necessarily driven by what's getting critical acclaim or what's topping general sales charts. Instead, his list appears to be a very personal reflection of what he found engaging and enjoyable. It’s not about what’s trending, but what truly captured his attention. So, in some respects, his list is a bit of a counterpoint to the broader popular currents, offering a fresh perspective on what to pick up next, which is really rather neat.

The Tradition of the Barack Obama Book List 2022

The Barack Obama book list 2022 is part of a much longer tradition that the former president has kept up for many years. He started sharing his reading lists way back in 2009, during his very first year as president. It’s become something people genuinely look forward to, a regular feature of his public life. He typically puts out a summer reading list as the warmer months are ending, and then he shares a list of his favorite books for the entire year usually in December. It’s a consistent thing, something he does every year, which is pretty cool.

This annual sharing isn't just about books, either. The text mentions that he also shares lists of music he and Michelle Obama are listening to, and movies they've enjoyed. So, it's a broader look into his cultural preferences, offering a well-rounded picture of what he finds entertaining and thought-provoking. It’s like a little window into his world, you know? He always looks forward to sharing these lists of favorite books, movies, and music with everyone, which makes it feel quite personal. It’s a pretty unique way for a public figure to connect with people, actually.

What Types of Books Are on the Barack Obama Book List 2022?

When you look at the Barack Obama book list 2022, you’ll notice a clear pattern: it’s a very good mix of different kinds of stories and ideas. As usual, his reading list for the summer had a blend of nonfiction and fiction works. This shows he enjoys both learning about the real world and getting lost in made-up tales. It’s pretty much a balanced diet for the mind, if you think about it. He doesn't stick to just one kind of reading, which is often true for people who read a lot.

Beyond the mix of genres, the authors themselves come from a wide variety of backgrounds. The text points out that the 2022 list, which had thirteen titles, included nine fiction works and four nonfiction ones. It also highlights that eight of the books were written by women, and eight were by BIPOC authors. This really underscores a commitment to reading diverse voices and perspectives, which is something many people find important. It’s not just about the stories, but about the people telling them, you know? This makes the list feel pretty rich and varied, offering something for almost anyone’s taste, honestly.

Where Can You Find the Barack Obama Book List 2022?

If you're curious to see the Barack Obama book list 2022 for yourself, he makes it pretty easy to find. He typically shares these lists on his social media platforms. For the 2022 list, he posted it on his Instagram page. He even added a caption, saying he had read some truly great books that year and wanted to share some of his favorites so far. He also engaged with his followers by asking, "What have you been reading this summer?" This kind of direct sharing makes it very accessible for anyone who wants to check out his recommendations.

The information provided mentions that you can find his full 2022 summer reading list, complete with a short plot synopsis for each title, by scrolling down from his post. He also releases his list of favorite books, music, and movies from the year, often referred to as his "forever president's take on the best in pop culture." So, it’s not just a simple list of titles; he usually gives a little bit of context for each one, which is helpful. It’s pretty much a straightforward way to get his personal picks directly from him, which is really quite convenient for anyone looking for new reading material.

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Barack Obama shares his summer 2022 music, books lists

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Barack Obama Book List 2022