Story perspectives

Obama Posts Summer Playlist, Honors Hansard, Shares Reading List

7/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Former President Barack Obama posted his Summer Playlist and reading list on Instagram on July 30, 2026.
The playlist opens with Glen Hansard’s “Song of Good Hope,” honoring him after his Dublin motorcycle-crash death on Wednesday, and blends new tracks with classics from The Beatles, David Bowie and Johnny Cash.
Obama’s reading list includes works by Elizabeth Strout, Tayari Jones, Michael Pollan, Ann Patchett, George Saunders and Colson Whitehead.

1 of 1

Story summary

Former President Barack Obama posted his Summer Playlist and reading list on Instagram on July 30, 2026.
The playlist opens with Glen Hansard’s “Song of Good Hope,” honoring him after his Dublin motorcycle-crash death on Wednesday, and blends new tracks with classics from The Beatles, David Bowie and Johnny Cash.
Obama’s reading list includes works by Elizabeth Strout, Tayari Jones, Michael Pollan, Ann Patchett, George Saunders and Colson Whitehead.