It's that time of year again — when Barack Obama releases his annual summer reading and music lists, and we all subsequently wonder how the former president of the United States manages to keep up with trending music and books while our parents have still somehow never heard of Harry Styles.
"I've read a couple of great books this year and wanted to share some of my favorites so far. What have you been reading this summer?" Obama tweeted Tuesday alongside his latest literature shortlist, which included Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, Why We're Polarized by Ezra Klein, and The Family Chao by Lan Samantha Change.
The former president later shared with followers his 2022 summer playlist, which has him queuing up old classics like Joe Cocker's "Feelin' Alright," Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You," and Al Green's "I Can't Get Next To You" as well as guaranteed bops like Beyoncé's "Break My Soul," Wet Leg's "Angelica," and Amber Mark's "Bliss" to soundtrack his beach season.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Every year, I get excited to share my summer playlist because I learn about so many new artists from your replies—it's an example of how music really can bring us all together," he wrote before asking, "What songs would you add?"
Well, we certainly don't see any mention of "Running Up That Hill," Barack! Maybe you're not as up with Gen Z as we thought ...
-
Who were the ‘weekend snipers’ of Sarajevo?Under the Radar Italian authorities launch investigation into allegations far-right gun enthusiasts paid to travel to Bosnian capital and shoot civilians ‘for fun’ during the four-year siege
-
A free speech debate is raging over sign language at the White HouseTalking Points The administration has been accused of excluding deaf Americans from press briefings
-
Glinda vs. Elphaba, Jennifer Lawrence vs. postpartum depression and wilderness vs. progress in November moviesthe week recommends This month’s new releases include ‘Wicked: For Good,’ ‘Die My Love’ and ‘Train Dreams’
-
Hungary’s Krasznahorkai wins Nobel for literatureSpeed Read László Krasznahorkai is the author of acclaimed novels like ‘The Melancholy of Resistance’ and ‘Satantango’
-
Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91Speed Read She rose to fame following her groundbreaking field research with chimpanzees
-
Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclubSpeed Read The colorful crosswalk was outside the former LGBTQ nightclub where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, StalloneSpeed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's viewSpeed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talkSpeed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
