Barack Obama shares his favorite songs & books of the summer in 2024

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As the summer sun beats down, former US President Barack Obama has once again dropped his hottest picks for the season.

 

Obama’s 2024 summer soundtrack is a harmonious blend of fresh faces and familiar favorites. The ex-commander-in-chief proves he’s very much in tune with the times, featuring up-and-comers like Shaboozey, Tems, and Tommy Richman alongside rock royalty The Rolling Stones and hip-hop legend 2Pac.

 

Charli XCX’s 365 keeps the party going all year round, while Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ’Em raises the stakes on country-pop fusion. Meanwhile, Billie Eilish’s hauntingly beautiful Chihiro showcases an appreciation for more introspective tunes. For those craving a blast from the past, Bob Dylan’s Silvio and Etta James’ Don’t Cry Baby offer a comforting dose of nostalgia.

 

 

However, some fans couldn’t help but notice a glaring omission—rising star Chappell Roan failed to make the cut this year. Maybe in 2025?

 

The former POTUS has also curated a list of 14 must-read books for the summer, spanning fiction and non-fiction alike. Percival Everett’s James reimagines Mark Twain’s classic through the eyes of Huck Finn’s companion, while Rita Bullwinkel's debut Headshot packs a punch with its tale of teenage boxers in Reno. Liz Moore’s The God Of The Woods weaves a chilling mystery around a family’s twin disappearances.

 

 

On the non-fiction front, Hanif Abdurragib’s There’s Always This Year: On Basketball And Ascension slam dunks readers into basketball’s golden age, with a focus on LeBron James’ rise to stardom. Jonathan Blitzer’s Everyone Who Is Gone Here offers a sobering look at the complex factors driving Central American migration to the US-Mexico border.

 

Whether you’re looking to expand your musical horizons or dive into thought-provoking literature, these summer picks offer something for every taste. So grab your headphones and  crack open a book.

 

• https://www.obama.org/stories/president-obamas-favorite-books-and-music-summer-2024/ 
• https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/08/12/barack-obama-summer-2024-playlist-books-recommendations/74774229007/ 
• https://www.today.com/popculture/books/barack-obama-reading-list-books-2024-rcna166292 
• https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/95705-2024-obama-reading-list.html 

 

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