Originally published on 8/13/26
Former President Barack Obama is starting a podcast, and it’s going to be all about books! For those who don’t know, Obama is an avid reader and he has shared a variety of book recommendations over the years, including the six he’ll be discussing on his podcast. To learn more about what to expect from the show, including when you can tune in, keep scrolling!
What to know about President Barack Obama’s new podcast
Earlier this week, Obama announced that he, along with Audible and Higher Ground (the production company he and his wife Michelle, formed in 2018) is launching a podcast called A Great Book with Barack Obama. It will only be available on Audible, and according to the president, the show is meant to help readers learn more about the books that have impacted his life.
“Great books have always helped me figure out who I am and what I believe. The six books featured in this series have stayed with me throughout my life, and each one has something to teach us about the human experience,” the former president said in a statement. “For this podcast, I invited some friends to explore why they resonate, how they can shape our understanding of ourselves and each other, and why literature matters now more than ever. I hope listeners will be inspired to discover or rediscover books that change the way they see themselves and the world.”
As of publication, the names of the “friends” Obama mentions have not been shared with the public. But he has shared the six books that he plans to discuss. They range from nonfiction to family sagas and even a spy novel. You can view them below:
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, which was published in 1963.
- Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, which was published in 1977.
- All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, which was published in 1992.
- Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, which was published in 2004.
- All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren, which was published in 1946.
- Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré, which was published in 1974.
“President Obama has a remarkable ability to connect books to the questions of who we are and how we see the world. In A Great Book, he invites us into deeply personal conversations about books that have shaped not only a President, but also a person and citizen,” Rachel Ghiazza, chief content officer at Audible, said in a statement. “This series represents everything we strive for at Audible: connecting listeners with transformative storytelling through the intimacy of audio. We’re honored to continue our collaboration with Higher Ground and to bring this series to our global audience.”
When will ‘A Great Book with Barack Obama’ be released?
A Great Book with Barack Obama will be released on Audible on Thursday, September 24, 2026. There will be six episodes total, and as of now, it’s unclear whether the episodes will be released weekly or all at once.
“At a time when fewer people are able to sit down with a book, it’s important to remember the joy and power that can come from reading. And some books don’t just tell a story—they change the way we see the world,” Obama said in his social media post announcing the series. “I hope you’ll check it out starting September 24 on Audible and discover or rediscover books that stay with you long after you read them.”
Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/books/barack-obama-launches-new-podcast-about-books
Carissa Mosness 