It looks like Barack Obama has hit the brakes on his traditional summer playlist this year.
In a recent post on Instagram, Obama shared that he won’t be putting out his favorite tunes for the summer, marking a first since 2015. He stated, “With everything going on right now, I didn’t have time to curate a summer playlist this year, but feel free to drop me some song suggestions for my year-end playlist!”
While he didn’t provide details about what he meant by “everything,” his summer reading list paints a clearer picture. The titles he shared touch on hot-button issues like immigration, democracy, and governance, especially in light of Donald Trump’s controversial second term in office.
In the same update, Obama also expressed his enthusiasm about the future addition of a new branch of the Chicago Public Library at the Obama Presidential Center, which is set to open next year.
On his summer reading list, you’ll find Madeleine Thien’s “The Book of Records,” which he describes as a beautiful tale exploring migration, memory, and our shared humanity.
He highly recommends “Abundance” by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, calling it essential reading for progressives wanting to reform government for the benefit of everyday workers.
Additionally, he highlighted Michael Lewis’s “Government” as a timely reminder of the dedicated individuals working behind the scenes to keep the country running smoothly.
Obama also mentioned Chris Hayes’s “The Sirens’ Call,” which serves as a compelling introduction to how social media and the attention economy have influenced democracy and changed our lives.
In terms of music, Obama’s 2024 summer lineup features tracks like Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Billie Eilish’s “Chihiro,” and Jill Scott’s “Golden.”
