Former President Barack Obama is turning his love of books into a new podcast.
Obama is set to host “A Great Book with Barack Obama,” a six-episode Audible Original series exploring books that shaped his life, beliefs and worldview, the former president announced Monday, Aug. 10.
“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,” Obama wrote on Instagram. “And some books don’t just tell a story — they change the way we see the world.”
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The podcast will debut on the Audible platform Sept. 24.
Per a press release from Audible and Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company, each episode will feature the 44th president in conversation with a thought leader, writer or artist about one influential book. The six books featured in the series were announced Monday:
–The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
–Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
–All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
–Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
–All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren
–Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
The guests joining Obama will be announced later. The former president said each of the six selections influenced the way he thinks “about family, faith, race, politics and America.”
“Great books have always helped me figure out who I am and what I believe,” he explained. “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.”
Obama added that the conversations will look at why these books remain popular, how literature can shape people’s understanding of themselves and others, and why reading is important.
Rachel Ghiazza, chief content officer at Audible, said the series will offer listeners a personal look at the books that shaped Obama “not only as a president, but also a person and citizen.”
Higher Ground head of audio, Dan Fierman, described Obama as a longtime champion of reading and said the podcast will highlight his passion for literature.
The series is the sixth project under Audible and Higher Ground’s multi-project partnership announced in 2022. “A Great Book with Barack Obama” premieres Sept. 24 on Audible.
Obama has long shared his fondness of novels with the public and each year releases lists highlighting some of his favorite books, movies and music.
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