Educated
Tara Westover · 2018
”A gripping read, a fresh perspective on the power of education, and also a testament to the way determination and resilience can shape our lives.”
Lawyer and author · Former US First Lady
Books recommended by Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama is a lawyer who graduated from Harvard University and was the first Black woman to hold the position of First Lady of the United States, alongside President Barack Obama between 2009 and 2017. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to causes such as education, healthy eating and support for military families, and became the author of the world bestseller Becoming, a memoir that broke sales records.
Her reading recommendations reflect a curation attentive to history, identity and personal growth — with special attention to Black voices, narratives of overcoming adversity, and works that expand empathy and a sense of community.
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Þrúgur reiðinnar
John Steinbeck · 1939
”I reread [this book] with the girls, too.”
Song of Solomon
Toni Morrison
”I've read [this book] three times.”
Word Collector
Peter H. Reynolds · 2018
”This book is one of my favorites”
Also recommended by: Barack Obama
Exit West
Mohsin Hamid · 2017
Also recommended by: Barack Obama
Snowy Day
Ezra Jack Keats · 1962
”A little boy who was Black and who lived in the city. He's a kid just being a kid, and that's enough.”
Pippi Longstocking (Reading beyond the Basal)
Astrid Lindgren · 1945
”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 of all.”
White Teeth
Zadie Smith · 2000
”I love the way the story weaves together so many complex and powerful forces that affect our lives and relationships.”
Conversations with Myself
Nelson Mandela · 1994
”I like to leaf through it from time to time because it always seems to give me an extra boost when I need it.”
Life of Pi
Yann Martel · 2001
”I reread [this book] with the girls too.”