From White House speeches to heartfelt podcasts, Michelle Obama has long used her voice to uplift, challenge, and connect. But if you want to understand what feeds her soul—look to her bookshelf. Her 2025 reading list is a reflection of the woman we’ve come to admire: grounded in justice, steeped in empathy, and never afraid of vulnerability.
Whether she’s passing books down to her daughters or pulling strength from Mandela’s words, Michelle’s reading life is full of grace and grit. These are stories of becoming, of breaking, of healing—and sometimes, of just being. If you’re looking for books that will stretch your mind and settle your heart, start here.
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
Category: Literary Fiction, Family Saga, African-American Identity
What It’s About
This lyrical and layered novel traces the life of Macon “Milkman” Dead III, a Black man on a journey to understand his heritage, manhood, and place in the world. Set against the backdrop of 20th-century America, Song of Solomon weaves folklore, history, and spirituality into a family narrative that’s as epic as it is intimate.
As Milkman uncovers the secrets of his lineage, he embarks on a quest not just for identity, but for liberation—from generational trauma, societal expectations, and his own emotional numbness.
Why You Should Read It
Toni Morrison doesn’t just tell a story—she chisels language into meaning. This novel is soul-stirring and mythic, asking readers to wrestle with memory, legacy, and freedom. You don’t just read Song of Solomon—you experience it.
It’s a generational touchstone, and every reading reveals something new about where you come from, and who you’re becoming.
Get Book: Song of Solomon!The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
Category: Nonfiction, Women’s Empowerment, Social Change
What It’s About
In this thought-provoking and deeply personal book, Melinda Gates shares the stories of women she’s met through her philanthropic work—and the undeniable truth that when you uplift women, you lift up humanity. From maternal health in India to education access in Africa, Gates makes the case that gender equity isn’t just moral—it’s transformational.
The book intertwines data, storytelling, and Melinda’s own evolution as a woman stepping into her voice and power.
Why You Should Read It
This is a call to action wrapped in compassion. The Moment of Lift doesn’t preach—it connects. It will shift the way you think about privilege, advocacy, and the quiet revolutions happening every day around the world.
If you’ve ever felt called to do more but didn’t know where to start, this book hands you the blueprint—and the heart behind it.
Get Book: The Moment of Lift!Conversations with Myself by Nelson Mandela
Category: Memoir, Letters, Political Thought, Inner Reflection
What It’s About
This deeply personal collection includes Nelson Mandela’s diaries, letters, speeches, and notes—many of them written during his 27 years in prison. Unlike a formal autobiography, Conversations with Myself offers a more intimate glimpse into Mandela’s mind and moral compass.
It’s a raw, honest portrayal of a man navigating hope, struggle, and leadership from the inside out.
Why You Should Read It
It’s the kind of book you return to again and again, not just for political insight but for personal grounding. Mandela’s resilience and clarity feel more relevant than ever.
Michelle’s Take
Michelle Obama keeps this one close, saying:
“It’s a collection of his writings and speeches… I like to flip through it from time to time because it always seems to give me an extra boost when I need it.”
It’s a quiet mentor in book form—offering perspective, strength, and the reminder that purpose is a lifelong pursuit.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Category: Classic Fiction, American History, Social Justice
What It’s About
Set during the Great Depression, this landmark novel follows the Joad family as they migrate from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma to the promised land of California. Along the way, they encounter exploitation, loss, and small moments of resistance, painting a vivid portrait of hardship and hope.
At its heart, The Grapes of Wrath is a call for dignity—for those who labor, who suffer, and who still dare to dream.
Why You Should Read It
This isn’t just a story about the past—it’s a story about the systems we’re still navigating today. It’s emotional, atmospheric, and deeply human, making it a rich conversation starter for any generation.
Michelle’s Take
Michelle Obama chose to reread this novel with her daughters, a powerful nod to the book’s timeless relevance.
Reading this as a family speaks volumes about her belief in engaging with hard truths, historical empathy, and the kind of endurance that’s passed down through stories.
Educated by Tara Westover
Category: Memoir, Education, Family, Self-Discovery
What It’s About
Tara Westover grew up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho with no formal education and a deep distrust of institutions. At seventeen, she set foot in a classroom for the first time. Educated is the story of her transformation—a journey through estrangement, identity, and the life-changing power of knowledge.
It’s a memoir about what it means to break away, and what it costs to claim your truth.
Why You Should Read It
Westover’s story is wrenching, inspiring, and deeply personal. It’s a reminder that education can be a radical act—and that healing often begins with naming what hurt you.
Michelle’s Take
Michelle Obama said of this book:
“This one came from Barack. … It is as phenomenal as he — and everyone else — says it is. It’s 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.”
For a woman whose own life has been shaped by learning and lifting others through it, this book hits close to home.
Get Book: Educated by Tara Westover!Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Category: Fiction, Survival, Spiritual Allegory
What It’s About
After a shipwreck in the Pacific, sixteen-year-old Pi Patel is left stranded in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. What unfolds is a fable-like journey of survival, spirituality, and imagination, as Pi tries to make sense of both the physical and metaphysical forces around him.
Life of Pi is as much about inner survival as it is about the oceanic one.
Why You Should Read It
It’s a story that blends whimsy with wisdom, asking readers to consider the role of faith, storytelling, and fear in shaping how we endure.
Michelle’s Take
Michelle chose this book to reread with her daughters—proof of its ability to resonate across ages and perspectives. It’s not just an adventure tale—it’s a meditation on belief, resilience, and the ways we hold on when everything seems lost.
Get Book: Life of Pi!White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Category: Literary Fiction, Identity, Family Dynamics, Humor
What It’s About
This energetic debut novel follows two families in North London—one English, one Bangladeshi—whose histories, secrets, and cultures collide across generations. Through sharp wit and rich characters, Zadie Smith explores the intersections of race, immigration, faith, and science in a rapidly changing world.
It’s messy, magnetic, and unapologetically big-hearted.
Why You Should Read It
Smith’s prose crackles with life, tackling weighty themes with humor and nuance. If you love fiction that blends the personal with the political—and still manages to make you laugh—White Teeth is a modern classic that delivers.
Michelle’s Take
Michelle revisited this novel thanks to a recommendation from her daughter, Malia. She shared:
“I’d read it years ago but picked it up again recently because Malia is a big fan of Zadie and her work… Plus, it’s just plain funny.”
It’s a beautiful full-circle moment—reading with the next generation while rediscovering the power of a good story told with style and smarts.
Get Book: White Teeth!The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
Category: Memoir, Personal Development, Courage, Inner Peace
What It’s About
A follow-up to her bestselling memoir Becoming, this book is part guide, part reflection. Drawing from her life and conversations with others, Michelle Obama offers wisdom on how to stay steady during turbulent times—whether you’re navigating fear, self-doubt, or simply the messiness of modern life.
She shares the tools, mindsets, and rituals that help her stay rooted when the world feels unsteady.
Why You Should Read It
It’s both gentle and galvanizing. The Light We Carry isn’t about having the answers—it’s about building strength from the questions. It’s a warm, affirming book for anyone learning how to carry their light without dimming it for others.
Michelle’s Take
This is Michelle’s personal invitation to reflect, reconnect, and rebuild. She writes:
“When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it.”
It’s more than self-help—it’s soul fuel.
Get Book: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama!Becoming by Michelle Obama
Category: Memoir, Identity, Leadership, Personal Growth
What It’s About
In Becoming, Michelle Obama invites readers into the most private corners of her life—from growing up on the South Side of Chicago to navigating the public eye as First Lady. But this isn’t just a memoir of milestones—it’s a meditation on how identity is shaped, challenged, and constantly evolving.
Through vivid storytelling and disarming honesty, she reflects on motherhood, marriage, ambition, and finding purpose in a world that often tries to define you before you define yourself.
Why You Should Read It
This is not a behind-the-scenes political tell-all—it’s a blueprint for anyone learning to lead with grace while staying rooted in truth. Becoming is equal parts tender, funny, and unflinchingly real.
Whether you’re in a season of change, questioning your next step, or simply trying to stay grounded, this book offers clarity—and quiet courage.
Michelle’s Take
Naturally, this is her own story. But what sets Becoming apart is Michelle’s decision to write from the in-between—not from the mountaintop. She reminds us that we are all in the process of becoming, no matter how polished things may look on the outside.
She writes, “For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving…”
It’s not just a title. It’s a life philosophy.
Get Book: Becoming by Michelle Obama!The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Category: Children’s Book, Everyday Joy, Representation
What It’s About
In this timeless picture book, a little boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the season’s first snowfall. He makes snow angels, drags a stick through the snow, and pockets a snowball to save for later. It’s simple, charming, and filled with wonder.
Published in 1962, The Snowy Day was groundbreaking as one of the first children’s books to center a Black protagonist in a non-stereotyped, everyday experience.
Why You Should Read It
It’s a gentle masterpiece that celebrates play, imagination, and representation. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or book lover, The Snowy Day is a joyful essential.
Michelle’s Take
Michelle Obama has read this book aloud during children’s events, saying:
“It’s 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.”
That simple validation of Black joy and childhood innocence is exactly why this book still matters—especially to someone like Michelle, who has always championed the beauty in everyday moments.
Get Book: The Snowy Day!Final Thoughts
Michelle Obama’s reading list isn’t just curated—it’s lived. Each book she touches is chosen with intention, whether it’s a classic she’s sharing with her daughters or a memoir that mirrors her own evolution. These stories span continents, generations, and genres, but they all return to one central idea: that growth is lifelong, and identity is layered.
Her choices remind us that literature isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. It challenges us to think deeper, feel harder, and show up in the world a little more awake than we were before.
So whether you’re reaching for resilience, seeking joy, or simply need a reminder that you’re not alone, you’ll find something here. These books don’t just fill a shelf—they fill you.
