President Barack Obama’s life is rich with accomplishment. And yet one of his smaller ventures is something I look forward to each year—his seasonal lists of favorite films, music, and books, which have developed a strong following. The former president now takes his love for literature to the podcast studio. The series is called “A Great Book with Barack Obama,” and each episode focuses on a book that shaped his worldview and informed his career in public service, from youth to present day. Selections include Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, and The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin. As reading for pleasure wanes, the series reminds us of the power of literature, meanwhile offering an intimate look at these classic stories. —Maggie Turner