Whether or not you're off to the beach, spending time in the garden or having a relaxing holiday by a pool, the summer is traditionally a time for taking things a little slower and diving into a good book.
Though I'm not a fan of random reading lists (as I may have mentioned!) I was pleased to see that once again former President Barack Obama has revealed the books he's enjoyed this year in his Summer Reading List (and Playlist).
Almost every year since taking office in 2009, he has shared the books he's enjoyed by his favourite authors and his most recent discoveries.
This year is another great selection - 'The Things We Never Say' by Elizabeth Strout which has been longlisted for this year's Booker Prize, and Ann Patchett's 'Whistler' which is one of my favourite books of 2026 so far. Also 'Vigil' by George Saunders which we read together at Framlingham Book Group and 'Cool Machine', the latest novel by Colson Whitehead (we read 'Harlem Shuffle' at Woodbridge Book Group recently). There are a number of other titles which, if they're not already on my own reading list, will soon be added.
So what does this list say about Obama? It's clear that he considers reading to be important enough for him to make room for it within his working life, and he reads intelligently and broadly. The mind boggles at the thought of seeing something similar from President Trump.
Will we see a reading list from our new Prime Minister, i wonder. He found the time to step into social media with his views on pub snacks in his first week in the role, and he's just back from a two week holiday. He might not have had time to pick up the latest Maggie O'Farrell this summer, though, having just moved into Number 10.
It's been acknowledged that Andy Burnham differs from past political leaders in being an English Literature graduate. There has been speculation in how this might affect his perspective and his decision-making and in interviews he has been asked what he feels he has gained from studying English.
In these conversations I had hoped he might have gone further in his answer, but he's said that, in seeking to persuade his father, all those years ago, of the relevance and value of an English degree, he referred to the Yorkshire poet Tony Harrison. In an epigraph to his poem 'V', Harrison quoted the former miners' union leader Arthur Scargill saying: ‘My father still reads the dictionary every day. He says your life depends on your power to master words.’
Thank you for reading.
As a journalist I contribute lifestyle features and profiles for regional and national newspapers and magazines. Earlier in my career, I was the launch editor of what became the leading business journal for the fitness industry in Europe, and I regularly contributed articles about the market for a US publication.
For more than 10 years I co-hosted an on-air book club on BBC Radio Suffolk with Lesley Dolphin. Listen to past discussions 
For my book reviews, event information and blog, please visit 
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