From Kendrick Lamar to Harry Styles, this is his top reading and music list for 2017.
During his presidency, Obama started a tradition of sharing his reading lists and playlists for the world to reflect on what the year had been like for POTUS and even though he is no longer President, his lists are pretty interesting.
“It was a nice way to reflect on the works that resonated with me and lift up authors and artists from around the world. With some extra time on my hands this year to catch up, I wanted to share the books and music that I enjoyed most. From songs that got me moving to stories that inspired me, here’s my 2017 list — I hope you enjoy it and have a happy and healthy New Year.”
The best books I read in 2017:
- The Power by Naomi Alderman
- Grant by Ron Chernow
- Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
- Janesville: An American Story by Amy Goldstein
- Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
- Five-Carat Soul by James McBride
- Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
- Dying: A Memoir by Cory Taylor
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
- Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
- *Bonus for hoops fans: Coach Wooden and Me by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Basketball (and Other Things) by Shea Serrano
My favorite songs of 2017:
- Mi Gente by J Balvin & Willy William
- Havana by Camila Cabello (feat. Young Thug)
- Blessed by Daniel Caesar
- The Joke by Brandi Carlile
- First World Problems by Chance The Rapper (feat. Daniel Caesar)
- Rise Up by Andra Day
- Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled (feat. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller)
- Family Feud by Jay-Z (feat. Beyoncé)
- Humble by Kendrick Lamar
- La Dame et Ses Valises by Les Amazones d’Afrique (feat. Nneka)
- Unforgettable by French Montana (feat. Swae Lee)
- The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness by The National
- Chanel by Frank Ocean
- Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man
- Butterfly Effect by Travis Scott
- Matter of Time by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
- Little Bit by Mavis Staples
- Millionaire by Chris Stapleton
- Sign of the Times by Harry Styles
- Broken Clocks by SZA
- Ordinary Love (Extraordinary Mix) by U2
- *Bonus: Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen (not out yet, but the blues version in his Broadway show is the best!)
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