Bill Clinton reads Jacket Copy, among other things

On July 4, I posted about the literariness of former President William Jefferson Clinton. You might have missed it -- understandable. A lot of people aren't reading blogs on the Fourth of July.

But someone was on the computer and told someone, and so on, and shortly thereafter Bill Clinton made his way to Jacket Copy. This was before, I assume, he was called on to help bring two journalists home from North Korea. In a window when he wasn't working with his foundation, taking meetings about the global economy, supporting Harlem businesses and doing all the other things he does. Heck, he used to be president: I have no idea where he finds the time to read a book blog. I'm just a blogger and I can barely find time to do laundry.

But read it he did. How do I know for sure? Because he offered a correction: His dinner with Bill Styron was in 1994, not 1999. Thanks, Mr. President. It's fixed now.

The main part of his note was to let me know what he's been reading lately. And I think that he wouldn't mind if I share that list with you. Here's a list of books Bill Clinton has been reading lately, from his own pen:

1. Steven Johnson's "The Invention of Air" and "The Ghost Map," esp. #1
2. Tom Zoellner's "Uranium"
3. Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers," his best book.
4. John Bogle's "Enough"
5. Selden Edwards' "The Little Book"
6. Richard North Patterson's "Eclipse"
7. Andrew Greeley's "The Cardinal Sins" (now almost 30 years old)

If I had to guess, I'd wager the reason he made time to read a book blog was because Clinton, an author in his own right, really enjoys books. In that way -- even though he used to be president -- he's just like us.

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Photo: A letter from former President Clinton. Credit: paperhaus via Flickr.

Comments

[david]

Wow. Just wow. My favorite president reads one of my favorite book blogs.

[Bernardine Kennedy]

I'm a huge fan of Bill Clinton and love the fact that he reads a lot in between everything else. Just wish he would go walkabout with one of my books under his arm for all the world to see or mention it on a blog or or anything in fact!

[Matthew Putman]

It is great to see this reading list. I loved the Johnson books, and somehow always manage to find more reasons to relate to the ideas of President Clinton.

[Levi Stahl]

Wow--congratulations! What a fun surprise that must have been to receive in the mail!

[Stephen]

Clinton loves mysteries. He gave Jan Burke's career a nice push when, during an interview at the White House early in his tenure, he held up a copy of her first book, "Goodnight, Irene," which he was then reading.

[Nancy]

Oh my goodness! You are so lucky. I admire President Clinton so much. What a prize you have!

[Rochelle Spencer]

I love to see our leaders read!

[DaveAtTimeless]

Nice reading list our former President has. Wouldn't it be great if he blogged or guest-blogged about books. But I suppose he doesn't have the time. Anyway, I'll use these tidbits about his reading to add to my own reading list.

[Carol]

I read The Invention of Air, and it was really interesting. I'm sure anything else by Stephen Johnson would also be great. Sadly, the only others I've even heard of are the last two, in which I have no interest. I'l have to check your earlier list!!

[Steve Sailer]

Saying that "Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers" is "his best book" is like saying that Billy Barty was a fairly tall for a midget.

[paul]

nice.