Michelle Obama Recommends: Novels She Loves

Mohsin Hamid's love story plays out against war and displacement. It sat on her nightstand in the same interview.

Ann Patchett asks how family members stay connected despite life's complications. Another title from that nightstand stack.

A reread with her daughters. Yann Martel's survival story has a protagonist who embraces several religions.

Steinbeck's novel of poverty and displacement got the same treatment, a reread with her daughters.

Tara Westover's memoir won her over as engrossing, a book about the power of education, grit and resilience.

A childhood favourite. Pippi's independence and refusal to quiet her voice are what she valued.

Keats showed a Black child simply enjoying childhood adventures, and she has said that mattered.

Her favourite book of 2015, she told People magazine. Elizabeth Alexander's lyrical memoir deals with grief and family.