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The Audacity of Hope
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream | Barack Obama
111 posts | 92 read | 2 reading | 104 to read
The Audacity of Hope is an extraordinary book by an extraordinary man. Barack Obama spells out a vision of public life that is about finding the common threads that bind us all. He describes his hopes for a different America, and how the ideals of its democracy can be renewed. Obama writes with intimacy and self-deprecating humour about his experiences as a politician, about balancing his family life and his public vocation. Behind every sentence is his quest for consensus, and his respect for the democratic process. Superbly written and effortlessly readable, The Audacity of Hope is a truly inspiring and important book, not just in terms of US domestic politics but internationally too. '[Barack Obama] is that rare politician who can actually write-and write movingly and genuinely.' New York Times
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Squidonland

But the years had also taken their toll. Some of it was just a function of my getting older, I suppose, for if you are paying attention, each successive year will make you more intimately acquainted with all of your flaws- the blind spots, the recurring habits of thought that may be genetic or may be environmental, but that will almost certainly worsen with time, as surely as the hitch in your walk turns to pain in your hip.

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keithlafo
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Pickpick

An interesting view into Obama‘s political and personal thoughts prior to his 2008 run for the presidency. It‘s curious to see which priorities (universal healthcare for example) espoused here never came to light during his presidency, while his general ethos and perspective on politics remains the same through 2016 and beyond.

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TheBookHippie
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🤍

Soubhiville And of course they all go on my TBR now! Thanks for sharing! 3y
60 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Sharpeipup
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Thanks @RamsFan1963 for the tag! Just now catching up.
1. Never
2. Yes, I find it helpful when I am not familiar with the names or places especially the pronunciation
#two4tueaday @TheSpineView

21 likes1 stack add
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DieAReader
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Pickpick

#Challenge2021

Have I mentioned how much I enjoy listening to his voice?😏😆

CoverToCoverGirl He certainly does have a soothing and inspiring tone. I‘ll get to this one ... someday. 3y
42 likes2 comments
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Francknbeans
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I believe in evolution, scientific inquiry, and global warming; I believe in free speech, whether politically correct or politically incorrect, and I am suspicious of using government to impose anybody's religious beliefs, including my own, on non-believers.

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rachelm
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Many of you will preorder this! Please do so from an independent bookstore! Huge books like this can make up a large portion of their revenue for the year. Spread the word!!

Chelsea.Poole Good point! 4y
67 likes1 comment
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MallenNC
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The new book isn‘t in the database yet but I‘m excited to read it! Publication date is Nov. 17. #TBR

alisiakae I did my realize he finished his book! 🙌🏽🙌🏽 And waiting till after Election Day, which I‘m sure isn‘t a coincidence. 4y
JenReadsAlot Oh I'm excited! 4y
Cosmos_Moon Ooo! Cool! 4y
MallenNC @4thhouseontheleft Yes, I‘m sure the publication date was intentional! 4y
MallenNC @Cosmos_Moon @JenReadsAlot I‘m very excited! The publication date was just announced today. I‘m going to preorder as soon as I can. 4y
28 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Hollie
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The library had free books today and I snagged all of these! Some of them I‘ve already read but am sending to a former student of mine who has similar bookish tastes. I am excited to make room on my shelves for these!

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Leftcoastzen
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If you have 40 minutes, an exquisite tribute to John Lewis .President Obama , you made me cry. https://apple.news/ApLY8H9ElQxW1sw9_UK5EPg

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Leftcoastzen
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And this just made me cry.John Lewis (1940-2020)

KVanRead Such a great loss 😢 4y
Hooked_on_books Barack is a class act. And John? What to even say? Remarkable. 4y
Bette This makes me tear up. 😔💔 4y
53 likes4 comments
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Thndrstd
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BTW, today is Donald Trump‘s birthday.

I‘ll just leave this here.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa 😂 Perfection! 👌 4y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Oh, and I remember the scandal they made out of that tan suit! 4y
BookmarkTavern Excellent! 👍🏻👍🏻 4y
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Megabooks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
Megabooks If the artist on the right is who I think it is, can‘t remember the name, they are gorgeous in person. I mean just gorgeous and thought provoking! 4y
Caroline2 😆 👍 4y
BookDragonNotWorm 🤭😂 4y
37 likes7 comments
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alisiakae
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Pickpick

My attention span is terrible this week; it took me longer than planned to finish this book written by then-future President Obama. I wish I had read this years ago, but it was nice to immerse myself again in the politics of the Obama era. While I don‘t agree with him on everything, I admire the thoughtfulness, empathy, and intelligence found in his policies and positions.

#nonfiction2020 #candidate
#pop20 #worldleader
#fancifulfebruary

Amiable I miss him SO much. More and more every day. 😬 4y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Amiable I soooo understand that! 4y
alisiakae @Amiable @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Me too! I worked on his campaign in 2012 and I really miss those days lately. (edited) 4y
alisiakae @Amiable @Riveted_Reader_Melissa The 🥂 in the pic is actually from the 2013 Inaugural Ball. It‘s become a cherished keepsake in this house. 4y
103 likes5 comments
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alisiakae
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Just read this section in the tagged book. 🤣 I 💙 the relationship between Barack and Michelle. Always have, always will!

alisiakae The quote above is paraphrased from the book, from this article: http://www.oprah.com/world/keeping-hope-alive 4y
Butterfinger Have you read Becoming yet? She had to put down her foot about dinner time. She refused to change the girls' routines because he was late. I love them. 4y
alisiakae @Butterfinger I did! It read it last year, it is interesting to see things told from his perspective, he mentions some of the same things. (edited) 4y
89 likes3 comments
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alisiakae
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I don‘t have the stamina for rock climbing 🧗‍♀️anymore, so after a few climbs I was grateful I brought a book to read while I wait for the kid with a never ending energy reserve. 😁

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alisiakae
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Keeping this week‘s #weeklyforecast short and sweet. I‘m focusing in on the 3 books I really want to read and/or finish during February. They also happen to be great picks for #blackhistorymonth.

✨ The Audacity of Hope for #nonfiction2020
✨ The Intuitionist for #authoramonth
✨ Sister Citizen for #doublespin and #nonfiction2020

Cinfhen Sister Citizen is a fierce book cover 4y
alisiakae @Cinfhen It is! I‘ve debated using that one for #CoverCrush, but I had another book in mind. We‘ll see what I decide. ☺️ 4y
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alisiakae
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After the craziness of the Dem Debate last night, I‘m retreating back into my Obama book. 🥰

(Although it was certainly easier being Team Warren last night than it has been in recent weeks!)

And waiting on a trace of snow. School has already been declared a 1/2 day, and Maya is hoping for another 3 day weekend. 🤣

Eggbeater I know, right! Warren wiped the floor with Bloomberg! 👊🙌 4y
shortsarahrose Yay, Team Warren! 4y
98 likes2 comments
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alisiakae
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I‘m still burning over Limbaugh getting the Presidential 🎖 of Freedom. 🤬

MicheleinPhilly He‘s gross. 🤬 4y
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tracey38 Totally agree. Ugh... 4y
rachelk Yes. Absolutely disgusting. 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Yes. He is horrid. 4y
Scochrane26 I agree 4y
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alisiakae
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It‘s a beautiful sunny day! Went in a long walk with hubby and now settling in for some outdoor reading time until M gets home from school. It‘s a make up day from the 🌪, too bad all the kids are stuck in school on a warm, ☀️ day.

InBooksILive I'm jealous of that weather! Its snowy snd cold here 😩🥶 4y
BiblioLitten It‘s snowing here as well! I miss the sunshine ☀️ 4y
110 likes2 comments
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alisiakae
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That #weeklyforecast I posted earlier? I was browsing my bookshelves and decided to ignore it completely in favor of this one. Thought it fitting for both President‘s Day weekend and Black History Month.

Checked out the 🎧 on Libby as well so I can listen to parts of it in his own voice. ☺️ #fancifulFebruary

alisiakae Well, never mind about the audiobook. It's an abridged version. 😫 4y
Bookzombie @4thhouseontheleft That‘s so frustrating. I don‘t really get why we have abridged versions. I‘m sure there is a reason though. 4y
alisiakae @Bookzombie I know! And it‘s the only audiobook option through my library. And I was so enjoying listening to him narrate. 4y
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Professional_Book_Dragon
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Building Ikea furniture and listening to Obama.

Kaylamburson I've done that, too! IKEA should have a partnership with audible lol 4y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Joseph5
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Listening for th 3rd time

Nute Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a warm and friendly community. I know that you will enjoy yourself here. I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂 4y
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GripLitGrl
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swishandflick
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❤️❤️❤️ I love when Barack tells us what he's been reading! This time, they're articles so I couldn't tag and they won't all fit here so I'll add the others in the first comment below:

“How the Upper Middle Class Is Really Doing” in the New York Times by David Leonhardt: https://nyti.ms/2NryJ83

“White Nationalism‘s Deep American Roots” in the Atlantic by Adam Serwer: https://bit.ly/2TQFlSU

swishandflick “Keep It Simple and Take Credit” in Democracy: A Journal of Ideas by Jack Meserve: https://bit.ly/2ULlAO3

“Alabama‘s Gruesome Prisons: Report Finds Rape and Murder at All Hours” in the New York Times by Katie Benner and Shaila Dewan: https://nyti.ms/2UuAWW8

“‘Change My View‘ Reddit Community Launches Its Own Website” in WIRED by Arielle Pardes: https://bit.ly/2DjgPk3
5y
Amiable I so miss having a thoughtful, intelligent, engaged president. Sigh. 😕 5y
Karkar Miss him 📚❤️📚 5y
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everlocalwest Thank you so much for sharing the links! You are awesome! 5y
SW-T Thanks for the links! 5y
swishandflick Of course! 😆🤗 @everlocalwest @SW-T 5y
78 likes7 comments
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Oldschool_millenial
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(NOT IN THE DATABASE YET)
So this greeted me in BookBub's new releases email.
I WANT I WANT I WANT I WANT! 🇺🇸😍🤤

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Staci
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Pickpick

Very compelling and entertaining. A nice break from Trumps rhetoric.

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mrozzz
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💜💜💜💜💜

BlameJennyJane Sweet aesthetic! 5y
SexyCajun Come baaack Obama 😫😫😫😫 5y
silentrequiem I miss him so much. 5y
116 likes3 comments
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Emilymdxn
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this but more than other books I‘ve read about him it exposed some of our differences. I think we have some different economic opinions on which were made more obvious here. I continue to find him inspiring and agree with him on a lot of issues.

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Emilymdxn
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A short one to try and revive my ailing goodreads challenge. I enjoyed dreams from my father and hope to enjoy this as well

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Nebklvr
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Mehso-so

President Obama is quite eloquent;however, there are no big revelations in this book. We all know what should be done, what needs to be done, but no one wants to risk their spot on the ladder to put such ideas into practice...especially those in politics. Still, it was nice to hear someone speak in a dignified and thoughtful manner about the problems we face as a nation and ad individual citizens.

silentrequiem I was listening to this the day after the election while driving cross country. I nearly cried hearing him 5y
Nebklvr @silentrequiem I wouldn‘t have been able to listen to it so close to catastrophe. Too angry. 5y
silentrequiem @Nebklvr The book I had just finished was Notorious RBG. I listened to the last chapter that morning after. It was a sucker punch as it was all about RBG's hopes for the first woman president. I already had Audacity queued up. It was both calming to hear him talk eloquently and intelligently, and also sad. 5y
Nebklvr @silentrequiem You are a warrior to be able to get through those two on that day. I would have to self medicate with cheesecake and chocolate 5y
46 likes4 comments
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Eggbeater
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1. This is me on election day. I was told I should smile by a friend on Facebook but I replied that this was my ass kicking face. Sometimes angry women get things done.
2. I took my disabled ass kicking ass out to the polls that day to help pass out sample ballots because I learned two years ago that it wasn't enough just to vote. I smiled when it was over.
3. #friyayintro @howjessreads

Chrissyreadit 👏👏👏👏 5y
sprainedbrain Good for you. Love this! ❤️ 5y
gradcat We need more people like you in America! 5y
62 likes3 comments
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Awk_Word_Smith
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Overslept but still made it to my new polling station to cast my ballot as a #NewYorker for the first time since moving here almost 3 years ago. #democracy #republic #vote #GoVote #MidtermElections2018 #ElectionDay2018 #TuesdayMotivation #BeAVoter⁠ ⁠ #IVoted⁠ ⁠

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violabrain

Vote vote vote vote vote vote!!!!

CouronneDhiver 👏🏽👏🏽 5y
11 likes1 comment
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mrozzz
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Pickpick

Fabulous explanations of his values (narrated by the man himself!) & major problems facing the country (partisanship being one of the greatest). I especially loved how he admits senators easily lose touch with average Americans while accruing donations & how hard it was to maintain his relationship.

It‘s sad that despite his progressive ideas, he was unable to make many come to fruition. I *hope* to see the same gaze forward in future candidates.

MicheleinPhilly I actually gasped when I opened Litsy and saw this picture. THAT‘S how much I miss them. 6y
Leftcoastzen Miss them too ! The photo made my day! 6y
mrozzz ☺️💕 Figured it might be a happy sight (and a little more interesting than a Libby screenshot). @MicheleinPhilly @Leftcoastzen they‘re such a beautiful family. I‘ll always love them. 6y
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lynneamch 😢❤😫❤😭 Hard to maintain hope these days, but this title is a good reminder of what it takes. Thank you. 6y
mrozzz Trust me, I know 💗 @lynneamch I feel like that most days. It was such a great reprieve to hear more from Obama. 6y
SexyCajun Oh gosh I miss him and his lovely family ..... 6y
Kaye Better days ahead. That‘s what I keep telling myself. When we‘ve hit THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL, the only way is UP 👆🏼 🆙⬆️⏫🔝 6y
SexyCajun @MicheleinPhilly truth ☹️ 6y
mrozzz Me too 😫 @SexyCajun 6y
mrozzz @Kaye I like that way of thinking. Hoping it is true and counting down the days! 🤞🏻 6y
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TheBookbabeblog84
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To go back to my junior year of college and to live the Obama volunteer experience all over again. The button above is the first campaign button I ever purchased and the first I ever wore. I can‘t wait for the 2020 Presidential season - it‘s like the Super Bowl for us Politics nerds! #Obama #My20s #college

vivastory Who are you hoping runs for president? 6y
TheBookbabeblog84 @vivastory I‘d love Kamala Harris.... I adore her. She‘s smart. And I like Cory Booker - he‘s awesome. My cousin gets to meet with her regularly to work on Healthcare issues for the state of NJ. She says he‘s the real deal. Helpful. Caring and will go the extra mile for people. 6y
vivastory I 100% agree. Harris/Booker is my dream ticket! 6y
See All 7 Comments
Nebklvr Elizabeth Warren 6y
Nebklvr Have you ever watched Practical Magic where the woman holds up the dust buster and says “let‘s clean house”? That‘s where I am at. 6y
TheBookbabeblog84 @Nebklvr I love that movie; but I‘m not of the opinion that all Politicians are Bad - however those republicans give me some pause. 6y
31 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Deblovestoread
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#leastmost
1)horror/historical fiction
2) liver/pizza or tacos or pizza or ...
3) 600+/400
4) no preference
5) audio, kindle print least to favorite but use all three
6) no preference
7) no preference
8) free/$80
9) 4 hours/a week
10) what is the biggest lesson you learned as a kid and how did it help you as an adult?
@Kaye

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RestingBodiceFace
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Written by Obama when he was still a junior senator, this book talks about the divisive nature of American politics at that time. I can't help but wonder what 2006 Obama would make of the state of things in 2018. 😳

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Cconnolly
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Started listening to this at work, for my lunchtime walk. I love listening to Barack Obama‘s voice, he still gives me hope. He talks about feeling empathy for others, and learning to understand that some things mean more to one group of people than others but it doesn‘t need to divide us. It was written a dozen years ago, but I hope one day to see more respect for diversity in this country.

Thatpartyhat Have you seen the snl song “come back Barack” ? It is everything to me. Best president ever. 6y
Cconnolly @Thatpartyhat , I‘ll have to check it out 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sounds great, one I‘ll definitely have to look for on audiobook! 6y
38 likes3 comments
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Dragon
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#fiercefeb #dearMrPresident you are so lucky to have such an accomplished and intelligent spouse. Photo credit Instagram, Michelle Obama ‘s feed. I will not be able to attend her lectures in Vancouver, I bet they are fabulous!

Louise Gosh, I miss those two! 6y
batsy He is! 6y
Cinfhen I‘m sure she‘s a phenomenal speaker, too bad you can‘t make it 6y
Dragon Thanks @Louise @batsy they‘re a super couple 💙 6y
Dragon Thanks @Cinfhen Her venue sold out almost immediately and a second night was added. 😀 6y
75 likes5 comments
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BookmarkTavern
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Gonna start out the new year with a little bit of hope. #celebritymemoir #readharder

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MallenNC
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I love reading lists, and am so glad President Obama decided to share his from 2017. (I miss him!) We both put Evicted on our best of lists, so I'm feeling pretty smart. I decided to post this so I can refer back to it again later. I already read Exit West and A Gentleman in Moscow, plus a few of these are already on my TBR. #TBR #Bestof2017 #Obama2017List

RaimeyGallant Love this. 6y
SamHeartCoffee This is great! 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘ve read two! And I read Evicted last year.... for once I beat Obama! 😂 6y
See All 7 Comments
MallenNC @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I only read it in November of this year. I'm going to pretend it was because I was just as busy as President Obama until then. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MallenNC Maybe you were reading it at the same time as Obama! 👍 6y
MallenNC @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I like that idea. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MallenNC You were Book Buddies! 💙 6y
28 likes7 comments
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alisiakae
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President Obama is a big #believer in hope and change.

“I believe in this country. I believe in the American people. I believe that people are more good than bad. I believe tragic things happen. I think there's evil in the world, but I think at the end of the day, if we work hard and if we're true to those things in us that feel true and feel right, that the world gets a little better each time.” ~Obama‘s last official news conference

#DecDays

Christine ❤️ 6y
Cinfhen 🏆🥇perfect 6y
Karkar Man I miss the Obamas. 6y
78 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Libby1
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Want a #Pocketful of mints?

YES WE CANDY.

I display this tiny, pocket-sized mint tin with my copies of The Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father.

#YESvember17

AmyG Those days seem like forever ago. 😪 6y
Libby1 @AmyG - I know. Keep going. 💕 6y
95 likes2 comments
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ChasingOm
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Say hi to my newest son, Bark Obama! ?
(We call him "Bo" for short.)
❤️
#DogsOfLitsy

GypsyKat He's so sweet!!! 😍😍😍 6y
MicheleinPhilly 😍😍😍😍😍I'm in love! 6y
Bklover ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
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StephBengtson Awww!!!🤗 6y
merelybookish Welcome to Litsy Bo! 6y
Mommamanzi Hi new fur baby, you sure are cute Bo! 6y
8little_paws I love him 6y
Bookzombie So cute!!! 6y
34 likes8 comments
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DogEaredBooks
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I found such great treasures at my library books sale (my favorite kind of sale). All this for $10!! And all the books in the right are gifts for nieces and nephews (and left is for me 🙈)

hermyknee ❤️ Christopher Moore 😻 7y
silentrequiem Wow! Nice haul! 7y
DogEaredBooks @hermyknee Glad I chose well. I always want to read his books but I haven't gotten a chance to yet. 7y
50 likes3 comments
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SuperPunkNinja
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I cannot wait for this book! Not in the Litsy database but contributors include Walter Mosley and Nisi Shaw. Stories are about if all the crazy conspiracy theories about him were true.

41 likes3 stack adds
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FairyHighRoad
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Please come back and #SaveTheWorld 🙏🏻 #anditsaugust

24 likes1 stack add
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Bibliogeekery
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Grateful for this in the midst of all the horror and hate in Charlottesville this past week 💔

MicheleinPhilly I miss him so much. 😢 7y
saresmoore As we turned onto President Barack Obama Highway en route to school this morning, I said to the girls, "Isn't it neat that they renamed this road after the best American president ever?!" My eldest piped up, "Abraham Lincoln was pretty great, too, Mom." #fewandfarbetween 7y
84 likes2 comments
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dariazeoli
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It really makes you #think when you look at who our president was and who took over that job...

#augustgrrrl

Debiw781 Truth!! 7y
LauraBeth Yes, it does. *unpauses Pod Save America* 7y
Cinfhen 😖 7y
34 likes3 comments