Drake, Sinners, Kiran Desai: Barack Obama's Top Songs, Films, Books Of 2025

Every year, former US President Barack Obama shares what has been inspiring him, and 2025 is no different. From thought-provoking books by Zadie Smith, Ian McEwan, and Kiran Desai to music from Kendrick Lamar, Bruce Springsteen, and BLACKPINK, this year's list is a mix of literary brilliance and chart-topping beats.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama's book The Look also made an appearance on the list.

As 2025 comes to a close, 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. I hope you find something new to enjoy—and please send any recommendations for me to check out! pic.twitter.com/T9LFt5fnKG

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 18, 2025

Here Are Barack Obama's Favourite Books Of 2025

• Paper Girl - Beth Macy
• Flashlight - Susan Choi
• We the People - Jill Lepore
• The Wilderness - Angela Flournoy
• There is No Place for Us - Brian Goldstone
• North Sun - Ethan Rutherford
• 1929 - Andrew Ross Sorkin
• The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny - Kiran Desai
• Dead and Alive - Zadie Smith
• What We Can Know - Ian McEwan
• The Look - Michelle Obama

Books Barack Obama Recommended In Summer

• Mark Twain - Ron Chernow
• The Book of Records - Madeleine Thien
• King of Ashes - SA Cosby
• Rosarita - Anita Desai
• Audition - Katie Kitamura
• The Buffalo Hunter Hunter - Stephen Graham Jones
• Abundance - Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson
• A Marriage at Sea - Sophie Elmhirst
• Who is Government? - Michael Lewis
• The Sirens' Call - Chris Hayes

Barack Obama's Favourite Movies Of 2025

• One Battle After Another
• Sinners
• It Was Just an Accident
• Hamnet
• Sentimental Value
• No Other Choice
• The Secret Agent
• Train Dreams
• Jay Kelly: Good Fortune
• Orwell: 2+2=5

Barack Obama's Favourite Music Of 2025

• Nice to Each Other - Olivia Dean
• Luther - Kendrick Lamar & SZA
• TaTaTa - Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott
• JUMP - BLACKPINK
• Faithless - Bruce Springsteen
• Pasayadan - Ganavya
• 99 - Olamide ft. Daecolm, Seyi Vibez, Asake, & Young Jonn
• Pending - Lil Naay & Myke Towers
• Sexo, Violencia y Llantas - Rosalía
• Metal - The Beths
• Abracadabra - Lady Gaga
• just say dat - Gunna
• The Giver - Chappell Roan
• Aurora - Mora & De La Rose
• Silver Lining - Laufey
• No More Old Men - Chance the Rapper & Jamila Woods
• Bury Me - Jason Isbell
• I Wish I Could Go Travelling Again - Stacey Kent
• Never Felt Better - Everything is Recorded ft. Sampha & Florence Welch
• Please Don't Cry - Kacy Hill
• Stay - ROE
• In the Name of Love - Victoria Noelle
• Ancient Light - I'm With Her
• Vitamina - Jombriel, DFZM & Jøtta
• Float - Jay Som ft. Jim Adkins
• Ordinary - Alex Warren
• Sycamore Tree - Khamari
• NOKIA - Drake
• En Privado - Xavi & Manuel Turizo
• Not In Surrender - Obongjayar