Michelle Obama Book Recommendations

Song of Solomon

by Toni Morrison

"I’ve now read [this book] three times." - Michelle Obama (Source)

Exit West

A Novel

by Mohsin Hamid

Michelle Obama said this is one of the books on her nightstand in a "New York Times" interview. (Source)

White Teeth

A Novel

by Zadie Smith

"I love the way the story weaves together so many complex and powerful forces that affect our lives and our relationships." - Michelle Obama (Source)

Commonwealth

by Ann Patchett

Michelle Obama said this is one of the books on her nightstand in a "New York Times" interview. (Source)

An American Marriage

A Novel

by Tayari Jones

Michelle Obama said this is one of the books on her nightstand in a "New York Times" interview. (Source)

Educated

A Memoir

by Tara Westover

"An engrossing read, a fresh perspective on the power of an education, and it’s also a testament to the way grit and resilience can shape our lives." - Michelle Obama (Source)

Conversations with Myself

by Nelson Mandela

"I like to flip through it from time to time because it always seems to give me an extra boost when I need it." - Michelle Obama (Source)

The Grapes of Wrath

by John Steinbeck

"I reread [this book] with the girls, too." - Michelle Obama (Source)

The Snowy Day

by Ezra Jack Keats

"[About] a boy who happened to be black and who happened to live in the city. He’s a kid just being a kid, and that’s enough." - Michelle Obama (Source)

Life of Pi

by Yann Martel

"I reread [this book] with the girls, too." - Michelle Obama (Source)

The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking

by Astrid Lindgren

"What I loved most [about the main character] was that she was a girl, and she was a little different, and she was still the most powerful character." - Michelle Obama (Source)

The Word Collector

by Peter H. Reynolds

"This book is one of my favorites." - Michelle Obama (Source)