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<\/p>\nThis week Obama will be maxin\u2019 relaxin\u2019 on the coast of Martha\u2019s Vineyard. To accompany him, he\u2019s lugging quite the carry-on of books. How many books does a president read in one week? No that\u2019s not your cue to give the punch line, and yes there\u2019s a real answer: five incredible books. Pack a few for your summer own summer travels – here\u2019s what Obama is reading in the waning weeks of summer.<\/p>\n
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The Underground Railroad<\/a><\/em> by Colson Whitehead<\/strong><\/p>\n Heeding Oprah\u2019s recommendation<\/a>, nice.<\/p>\n Since its debut, Colson\u2019s historical sci-fi novel has captivated the attention of some notable readers. It’s been recognized nationally as a 2016 must-read, and selected by Oprah as the next read for her notorious book club. Add Obama to that list of notables\u00a0and you\u2019ve got more than enough reasons to add this book to your list. It\u2019s far from your high school history class\u2019 explanation of slavery and the impending Civil War, but Colson\u2019s take does capitalize on a common misconception I\u2019m sure many had at the age: that the \u2018underground railroad\u2019 was an actual railroad. His book follows an escaped slave, Cora, traveling on the train as it snakes from state to state, each leg of the journey a new bout of twists and perils.<\/p>\n \n The Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>by William Finnegan<\/strong><\/p>\n \n Although he\u2019s more likely to be surfing waves of rose and crisp cabernet\u00a0at the vineyard, it doesn\u2019t hurt to dream of the California shore or the barrelling seas of the Asian and African coasts! With a backdrop of tides, swells and plenty of white wash, The Barbarian Days<\/em> follows Finnegan\u2019s wave-chasing days of youth. For Finnegan, surfing is a love, an addiction, an enchantment – the arena for brotherhood and a medium for explaining his history – but more than anything, it’s a testimony to the intense bond that can form between man and nature.<\/p>\n H is for Hawk<\/a><\/em>\u00a0by Helen\u00a0Macdonald<\/strong><\/p>\n Perhaps a good read for Obama to jump into after The Barbarian Days<\/em>, H is for Hawk<\/em> retains a similar appreciation for bonds beyond the bind of human connection and a deep appreciation for nature. Macdonald\u2019s bestselling novel tells the story of when she decided to adopt and raise a hawk after the death of her father. The rare bird is a vicious raptor, but like Helen, filled with the desperate will to survive life’s harsh circumsatnces.<\/p>\n The Girl on the Train<\/a><\/em>\u00a0by Paula Hawkins<\/strong><\/p>\n Rest assured even Obama can\u2019t turn down a hop on the band wagon. The Girl on the Train<\/em> has killed it this year, pushing Hawkins into the ranks of richest authors<\/a>, scoring her a film adaption<\/a> and worldwide recognition as the next author to climb the trove of \u2018gone girl\u2019 reads and ascend the sub-genre’s throne. With the film hitting theatres this fall, Obama\u2019s selection comes just in time.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.thereadingroom.com\/img\/posts\/emilyroese\/Barbarian-Days-book-cover.jpg\")
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