Barack Obama
44th President of the United States
Publishes an annual reading list that consistently includes literary fiction alongside history and science. Obama's recommendations have launched many books to bestseller status. Probably the single most influential individual book recommender in the world.
@barackobama8
Timeless books
14,050
Avg Lindy score
146 yrs old
Oldest book
Stood the test of time — old, widely published, and repeatedly endorsed
“Frankl's account of finding meaning in the darkest possible circumstances is one of the most moving and instructive books I've read.”
1984
George Orwell
23k
“1984 remains one of the most powerful warnings ever written about what happens when governments claim authority over truth itself.”
Sapiens
Yuval Noah Harari
15k
“Sapiens is a thought-provoking account of how Homo sapiens came to dominate the planet. Harari's central argument about collective fictions is fascinating.”
“Thinking, Fast and Slow should be required reading for every policymaker.”
“Dostoevsky's portrayal of what it means to be human — the struggle with faith, doubt, love, and evil — has influenced my thinking more than I can express.”
“Harper Lee gave us one of the most enduring moral portraits in American literature. Atticus Finch remains a model of quiet courage.”
“I read Team of Rivals as I was thinking about how to build my cabinet. Lincoln's genius for managing rivals is extraordinary.”
“The Alchemist has resonated with millions of people across cultures for a reason — it speaks to something universal about following your own path.”