Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama

Former First Lady of the United States

Michelle Obama served as First Lady from 2009–2017 and has become a bestselling author and advocate for education, health, and women's empowerment.

Authors & Thinkers

Michelle Obama was First Lady of the United States during Barack Obama's presidency from 2009 to 2017. Since leaving the White House, she has published the memoir 'Becoming,' which became a global bestseller, and continues to champion causes including girls' education and healthy living through her various initiatives and speaking engagements.

12 Books Recommended by Michelle Obama

Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site

Educated book cover
#1

Educated

by Tara Westover

8 people recommendedrecommended 2x

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.

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.

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Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Melinda Gates, Kathryn Minshew, Marty Cagan, Olivia Wilde, Shauna Niequist

Song of Solomon book cover
#2

Song of Solomon

by Toni Morrison

5 people recommendedrecommended 3x

I’ve now read [this book] three times.

I’ve now read [this book] three times.

I’ve now read [this book] three times.

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Also recommended by: Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Bozoma Saint John, Jesse Williams

An American Marriage book cover
#3

An American Marriage

by Tayari Jones

5 people recommendedrecommended 2x

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

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

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Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Shauna Niequist

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#4

The Grapes of Wrath

by John Steinbeck

4 people recommendedrecommended 2x

I reread [this book] with the girls, too.

I reread [this book] with the girls, too.

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Also recommended by: Christopher Hitchens, Jordan Peterson, Nelson Mandela

Exit West book cover
#5

Exit West

by Mohsin Hamid

3 people recommendedrecommended 3x

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

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

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

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Also recommended by: Barack Obama, Sarah Jessica Parker

πŸ“–
#6

The Snowy Day

by Ezra Jack Keats

2 people recommendedrecommended 3x

[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.

[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.

[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.

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Also recommended by: Don Cheadle

The Word Collector book cover
#7

The Word Collector

by Peter H. Reynolds

2 people recommended

This book is one of my favorites.

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Also recommended by: Barack Obama

πŸ“–
#8

White Teeth

by Zadie Smith

I love the way the story weaves together so many complex and powerful forces that affect our lives and our relationships.

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πŸ“–
#9

Commonwealth

by Ann Patchett

recommended 4x

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

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

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

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

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πŸ“–
#10

Conversations with Myself

by Nelson Mandela

recommended 2x

I like to flip through it from time to time because it always seems to give me an extra boost when I need it.

I like to flip through it from time to time because it always seems to give me an extra boost when I need it.

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πŸ“–
#11

Life of Pi

by Yann Martel

I reread [this book] with the girls, too.

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πŸ“–
#12

The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking

by Astrid Lindgren

recommended 3x

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.

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.

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.

Buy on Amazon β†’