# Barack Obama Reads Books

> Former president discusses books on podcast with Tom Hanks.
- Title: Barack Obama Reads Books · Slate Magazine | Shortify
- Summary: Former president discusses books on podcast with Tom Hanks. Barack Obama's podcast with Tom Hanks on literary fiction offers calm reflection amid online…
- Keywords: barack obama, tom hanks, a great book with barack obama, podcast, literary fiction, audible, marilynne robinson, cormac mccarthy, lauren groff, james baldwin, toni morrison, robert penn warren
- Source: Slate Magazine — https://slate.com/culture/2026/09/barack-obama-a-great-book-podcast-audible-tom-hanks.html?via=rss
- Author: Laura Miller
- Published: 2026-09-29T15:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: barack obama, tom hanks, a great book with barack obama, podcast, literary fiction, audible, marilynne robinson, cormac mccarthy, lauren groff, james baldwin, toni morrison, robert penn warren
## Road-tripping memory
After road-tripping in Maine, the author felt their usual healthy diet was dull and unappetizing.
## Podcast launch
Barack Obama started a six-episode podcast on Audible discussing books that profoundly affected his worldview.
## First guest
Tom Hanks and Barack Obama discussed Marilynne Robinson's Pulitzer-winning novel Gilead about a pastor writing letters to his son.
## Podcast style
The podcast offers wholesome, unprovocative discussions focused on literary fiction from the early 20th century.
## Controversy
Lauren Groff noted that Cormac McCarthy's work had no living women, a point Obama agreed with but could anger McCarthy fans.
## Reading habits
Obama has read all books on the podcast and other works by the same authors, countering claims he didn't read them.
## Key insight
Obama observed that 80 to 90 percent of world problems stem from old men fearing death.
## Podcast impact
The podcast provides calm reflection, contrasting online conflict and sensationalism with thoughtful literary discussion.
## Final thought
The podcast's nostalgic glow shows how reading and discussing books remains valuable despite online hostility.
## Key takeaway

Barack Obama's podcast with Tom Hanks on literary fiction offers calm reflection amid online conflict.