Maine author lands on Obama’s summer reading list
100%
Maine author Elizabeth Strout's novel, "The Things We Never Say," is on Barack Obama's summer reading list. (Photo by James Tierney)
For the second time in a decade, Barack Obama has put Maine author Elizabeth Strout on his reading list.
Obama named Strout’s “The Things We Never Say” on his summer reading list, released this week. The list included 11 books by notable and prize-winning authors, including Ann Patchett, Colson Whitehead and Michael Pollan.
“It makes me really happy to be on Obama’s summer reading list; the man is smart and decent, and I feel honored by his choice,” Strout wrote in an email Thursday.
“The Things We Never Say” was also one of 13 books longlisted for the Booker Prize, which recognizes books written in English by writers of any nationality. The short list will be released in September, with the winner announced on Nov. 9.
Related
[Elizabeth Strout’s latest novel was one of Obama’s faves of the year
](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/03/elizabeth-strouts-latest-novel-was-one-of-obamas-faves-of-the-year/) Strout’s book “Anything is Possible” was on a list of [Obama’s favorite books](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/03/elizabeth-strouts-latest-novel-was-one-of-obamas-faves-of-the-year/) of the year for 2017. The former president has been putting out lists of his favorite books annually since he took office in 2009. > [ > > View this post on Instagram > > ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbZBmJxP82Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbZBmJxP82Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) In [announcing his lists](https://barackobama.medium.com/my-2026-summer-reading-music-lists-44a3366666b4), Obama wrote that he included “books I’ve enjoyed this summer” and said he’d love to hear from people about their favorites. [](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/22/maine-author-elizabeth-strouts-new-book-is-set-away-for-a-change/) Related [Maine author Elizabeth Strout’s new book is set away, for a change](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/22/maine-author-elizabeth-strouts-new-book-is-set-away-for-a-change/) His summer music playlist was much longer, with more than four dozen songs from various eras, including “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash and “Doors” by Vermont native Noah Kahan. Kahan also has a song called [“Maine,”](https://www.pressherald.com/2025/09/01/noah-kahans-maine-has-gone-platinum-and-given-us-a-new-anthem-column/) but that didn’t make the list. Strout, 70, was born in Portland, grew up splitting her time between Harpswell and Durham, New Hampshire, and currently lives in the Midcoast. She won the Pulitzer Prize for her 2008 novel “Olive Kitteridge,” which was also made into an HBO miniseries with Frances McDormand in the title role. [“The Things We Never Say”](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/22/maine-author-elizabeth-strouts-new-book-is-set-away-for-a-change/) came out in May and is set in a coastal Massachusetts town. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [Maine authors](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/maine-authors/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/ray-routhier) [Ray RouthierStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/ray-routhier) Ray Routhier has written about pop culture, movies, TV, music and lifestyle trends for the Portland Press Herald since 1993. He is continually fascinated with stories that show the unique character of. [More by Ray Routhier](https://www.pressherald.com/author/ray-routhier)
](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/03/elizabeth-strouts-latest-novel-was-one-of-obamas-faves-of-the-year/) Strout’s book “Anything is Possible” was on a list of [Obama’s favorite books](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/03/elizabeth-strouts-latest-novel-was-one-of-obamas-faves-of-the-year/) of the year for 2017. The former president has been putting out lists of his favorite books annually since he took office in 2009. > [ > > View this post on Instagram > > ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbZBmJxP82Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbZBmJxP82Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) In [announcing his lists](https://barackobama.medium.com/my-2026-summer-reading-music-lists-44a3366666b4), Obama wrote that he included “books I’ve enjoyed this summer” and said he’d love to hear from people about their favorites. [](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/22/maine-author-elizabeth-strouts-new-book-is-set-away-for-a-change/) Related [Maine author Elizabeth Strout’s new book is set away, for a change](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/22/maine-author-elizabeth-strouts-new-book-is-set-away-for-a-change/) His summer music playlist was much longer, with more than four dozen songs from various eras, including “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash and “Doors” by Vermont native Noah Kahan. Kahan also has a song called [“Maine,”](https://www.pressherald.com/2025/09/01/noah-kahans-maine-has-gone-platinum-and-given-us-a-new-anthem-column/) but that didn’t make the list. Strout, 70, was born in Portland, grew up splitting her time between Harpswell and Durham, New Hampshire, and currently lives in the Midcoast. She won the Pulitzer Prize for her 2008 novel “Olive Kitteridge,” which was also made into an HBO miniseries with Frances McDormand in the title role. [“The Things We Never Say”](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/22/maine-author-elizabeth-strouts-new-book-is-set-away-for-a-change/) came out in May and is set in a coastal Massachusetts town. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [Maine authors](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/maine-authors/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/ray-routhier) [Ray RouthierStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/ray-routhier) Ray Routhier has written about pop culture, movies, TV, music and lifestyle trends for the Portland Press Herald since 1993. He is continually fascinated with stories that show the unique character of. [More by Ray Routhier](https://www.pressherald.com/author/ray-routhier)
