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    This fall, Barack Obama will take listeners deeper into his bookshelf with A Great Book with Barack Obama, a new podcast from Audible and Higher Ground. The six-episode series pairs the former president with a different guest for conversations inspired by books that have stayed with him over the years. The lineup of participants, which will include writers, artists and other notable figures, will be revealed closer to the premiere.

    Obama’s reading list covers several generations of American literature alongside a classic work of British espionage. James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time and Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon are among the selections. He will also discuss Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses and Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead. Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men and John le Carré’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy complete the list.

    “Great books have always helped me figure out who I am and what I believe,” President Obama said. “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. For this podcast, I invited some friends to explore why they resonate, how they can shape our understanding of ourselves and each other, and why literature matters now more than ever. I hope listeners will be inspired to discover or rediscover books that change the way they see themselves and the world.”

    Rather than approaching the titles as traditional book reviews, the podcast will use each selection as a starting point for a broader discussion. Obama and his guests will consider how literature has influenced his understanding of the world while examining why certain books continue to resonate years after their publication.

    “President Obama has a remarkable ability to connect books to the questions of who we are and how we see the world,” Rachel Ghiazza, Chief Content Officer at Audible, said. “In A Great Book, he invites us into deeply personal conversations about books that have shaped not only a President, but also a person and citizen. This series represents everything we strive for at Audible: connecting listeners with transformative storytelling through the intimacy of audio. We’re honored to continue our collaboration with Higher Ground and to bring this series to our global audience.” 

    A Great Book marks the sixth release under the first-look audio agreement between Audible and Higher Ground, the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. Previous collaborations have included Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, hosted by the former first lady, and Wesley Morris’ The Wonder of Stevie. Higher Ground also produced Your Mama’s Kitchen with Michele Norris and the Peabody Award-winning Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, hosted by Jad Abumrad.

    “President Obama has always been a champion of reading, and this series captures his genuine passion for literature in a way that is personal and accessible,” Dan Fierman, Head of Audio at Higher Ground, said. “These authentic conversations explore how books can challenge us, comfort us, and change us. The chemistry between President Obama and each guest creates truly special moments that remind us why storytelling matters. We’re proud to collaborate with Audible on a project that honors both the intimacy of audio and the power of great books.”

    The companies most recently collaborated with The History Channel and Pushkin Industries on Reconstruction: The Unfinished Promise, hosted by Malcolm Gladwell and featuring Obama.

    A Great Book with Barack Obama premieres exclusively on Audible September 24.

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