During his presidency, Barack Obama ended each year by sharing a list of books and music that made an impact in his life. And though he no longer holds the highest office in the country, he still put an end-of-year list shouting out his 2017 favorites. Turns out, he too, (probably) listened to “Humble” and “Wild Thoughts” on repeat.
On the music side – which range from Bruce Springsteen to Travis Scott – Obama skipped the inescapable “Despacito” remix in favor of “Mi Gente” by J Balvin and Willy William and “Havana” by Camila Cabello and Young Thug.
As for books, Obama loved Exist West by Mohsin Hamid and Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. He also recommended Shea Serrano’s Basketball (and Other Things) to NBA fans. Shea, who’s known for his large personality, was in disbelief.
Then, he shared an amazing story from 2013 when he used a fake Obama quote to sell his book. On a table with dozens of copies of Bun B’s Rapper Coloring and Activity Book, Shea pasted a note from Obama that read: “The most important book of the modern century and maybe of all-time. -President Barack Obama” A few years later, Shea managed to get an actual cosign.
Check out Obama’s full list below: