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.
Subscribe to 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 ...
-
Jasveen Sangha and the ketamine 'Wild West' of HollywoodIn The Spotlight Arrest of the 'ketamine queen' accused of supplying Friends star Matthew Perry with deadly dose has turned spotlight on a showbiz drug problem
-
Confessions of a Brain Surgeon: an 'exceptional' documentaryThe Week Recommends Retired neurosurgeon Henry Marsh reflects on his pioneering work with exquisitely 'raw honesty'
-
A new subtype of diabetes was found and it may require different treatmentUnder the radar It is prevalent in Black Africans and Americans
-
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
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposesspeed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wifespeed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster showSpeed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top GrammysSpeed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
