President Obama’s Summer Favorites

Find a new song of the summer or your next five-star read by checking out President Obama’s 2026 summer playlist and reading list.

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Spanning genres, President Obama’s summer reads include moving stories from diverse voices, non-fiction titles grappling with life in 2026, and reflections on what connects us all. And his playlist has something for everyone, from new hits to enduring classics. 

President Obama’s 2026 Summer Reading List

  • Kin

    by Tayari Jones

  • The Things We Never Say

    by Elizabeth Strout

  • A World Appears

    by Michael Pollan

  • Whistler

    by Ann Patchett

  • This Land is Your Land

    by Beverly Gage

  • Vigil

    by George Saunders

  • One Sun Only

    by Camille Bordas

  • Seek Immediate Shelter

    by Vincent Yu

  • Data Empire

    by Roopika Risam

  • Transcription

    by Ben Lerner

  • Cool Machine

    by Colson Whitehead

President Obama’s 2026 Summer Playlist

  • Song of Good Hope

    Glen Hansard

  • the one

    Gabriel Jacoby

  • girl, get up.

    Doechii & SZA

  • West Memphis

    Yebba

  • Doors

    Noah Kahan

  • Can’t Hide Love

    Earth, Wind & Fire

  • Going Shopping

    The Strokes

  • idea 1

    Kelela

  • Make Me Wanna

    October London

  • I Feel Good

    Fred Hammond

  • One Eyed Jack

    Charley Crockett

  • Inglés En Miami

    Rawayana & Manuel Turizo

  • White Flag

    Vince Staples

  • Rubber Band Man

    Mumford & Sons ft. Hozier

  • Motion Party

    BossMan Dlow

  • La Father (remix)

    Vale Pintos, Brytiago, Casper Mágico & Héctor “El Father”

  • Fiesta

    Gvrden Boy

  • Self Aware

    Temper City

  • SHE DID IT AGAIN

    Tyla ft. Zara Larsson

  • Friends Again

    Baby Rose ft. Leon Thomas

  • Anyone Who Had a Heart

    Luther Vandross

  • Ain’t Nobody

    Chaka Khan

  • Emmanuele

    Abel Selaocoe

  • Message in a Bottle

    The Police

  • Modern Love

    David Bowie

  • The Book

    Sheryl Crow

  • Award Tour

    A Tribe Called Quest ft. Trugoy The Dove

  • Revolution

    The Beatles

  • Hit the Ground

    Lizz Wright

  • Charlie Brown

    Coldplay

  • Don’t Worry Baby

    Los Lobos

  • Let’s Get It On

    Marvin Gaye

  • I Ka Barra

    Habib Koité & Bamada

  • (I Know) I’m Losing You

    The Temptations

  • Do the Do

    Howlin’ Wolf

  • Road to Zion

    Damian Marley ft. Nas

  • WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!

    Raye

  • In the Dark

    Nina Simone

  • Heart of Gold

    Neil Young

  • Ran to Atlanta

    Drake ft. Future & Molly Santana

  • Folsom Prison Blues

    Johnny Cash

  • Hold On, I’m Comin’

    Sam & Dave

  • Candela

    Buena Vista Social Club

  • Yada Yada

    Anderson .Paak

  • You Go to My Head

    Ledisi ft. Paul Jackson Jr.

  • Strode Rode

    Sonny Rollins

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Chicago Public Library

Stop by the Chicago Public Library branch at the Obama Presidential Center, or your local library, to check out some of President Obama’s favorite books.
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