From pages to playlists: Obama reveals his 2025 favorites

Former US President Barrack Obama/SCREENGRAB

As 2025 winds down, former US President Barack Obama has continued a tradition he began in the White House, releasing his annual list of favorite books, movies and music.

The lists, shared via social media, are a glimpse into the cultural picks that captured his attention over the year.

“I'm continuing a tradition that I started during my time in the White House: sharing my annual lists of favorite books, movies and music,” Obama wrote.

“I hope you find something new to enjoy—and please send any recommendations for me to check out!”

In his book picks, Obama highlighted a mix of contemporary fiction, nonfiction and personal favorites.

Titles include Paper Girl by Beth Macy, Flashlight by Susan Choi, We the People by Jill Lepore, The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy, North Sun by Ethan Rutherford, 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin.

He also enjoyed reading The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai, Dead and Alive by Zadie Smith, What We Can Know by Ian McEwan and There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone.

Notably, he also included The Look, authored by Michelle Obama.

“And obviously I’m biased; The Look by Michelle Obama,” he wrote.

The former president also reminded readers of his summer recommendations, such as Mark Twain by Ron Chernow, The Book of Records by Madeleine Thien, King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby, and Audition by Katie Kitamura.

Other books included Rosarita by Anita Desai, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jone, Abundance by Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson, A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst, Who Is Government? by Michael Lewis and The Siren’s Call by Chris Hayes.

Obama has long encouraged readers to explore a broad range of voices, from emerging authors to literary giants.

On the movie front, Obama’s list is equally eclectic.

Films that captured his attention this year include One Battle After Another, Sinners, It Was Just an Accident, Hamnet, Sentimental Value and No Other Choice.

Other selections like The Secret Agent, Train Dreams, Jay Kelly, Orwell: 2+ 2=5 and Good Fortune show his appreciation for both storytelling and cinematic artistry.

Music also featured prominently in Obama’s year-end roundup.

His 2025 favorites span genres and continents, from Olivia Dean’s Nice to Each Other, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Luther, Burna Boy featuring Travis Scott’s Tatata, to Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra.

Hip-hop and rap made the list with Gunna’s Just Say Dat, while Chappell Roan’s The Giver and Everything is Recorded featuring Sampha and Florence Welch’s Never Felt Better offered alternative and experimental sounds.

Other selections included Victoria Noelle’s In the Name of Love, BLACKPINK’s Jump, Mora and De La Rose’s Aurora, and Ancient Light by I’m With Her. Faithless contributed Vitamina, Bruce Springsteen appeared on the list with his own Vitamina, and Laufey, Jombriel, DFZM, and Jøtta offered Silver Lining.

From India, Ganavya’s Pasayadan made the list, alongside Chance the Rapper and Jamila Woods’ No More Old Men. Jay Som featuring Jim Adkins contributed Float, while Olamidé with Daecolm, Seyi Vibez, Asake, and Young Jonn released 99.

Jason Isbell’s Bury Me and Lil Naay & Myke Towers’ I Wish I Could Go appeared, followed by Stacey Kent’s Travelling Again and Rosalía’s Sexo, Violencia y Llantas.

The Beths made the list with Metal, Kacy Hill offered Please Don’t Cry, Roe’s Stay was included, and Alex Warren contributed Ordinary. Khamari’s Sycamore Tree, Drake’s Nokia, and Xavi & Manuel Turizo’s En Privado were highlighted, while Obongjayar rounded out the list with Not in Surrender.

Obama’s annual lists have become a cultural touchstone, with fans eagerly exploring his recommendations and sharing their own favorites in return.

“I just love seeing the ways that art and stories can connect us,” Obama said in previous years about his lists, a sentiment reflected in his latest selections.

From books that challenge and enlighten to music that spans styles and continents, Obama’s 2025 picks offer inspiration for readers, moviegoers and music lovers alike, inviting them to explore new ideas and experiences as the year comes to a close.