Spokane author’s book listed as one of Barack Obama’s favorites from 2019

December 28, 2019 2:15 PM

Ariana Lake,

Posted: December 28, 2019 2:15 PM

Updated: December 28, 2019 4:59 PM

by Ariana Lake

Auntie’s Bookstore celebrating 40 years in business — Auntie's Bookstore in Downtown Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. — A former president gave high praise to a Spokane author on Twitter Saturday.

As we wind down 2019, I wanted to share with you my annual list of favorites that made the last year a little brighter. We’ll start with books today — movies and music coming soon. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did. pic.twitter.com/l5qTGkAPok

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 28, 2019

Barack Obama called “We Live in Water: Stories” one of his favorite books of 2019. It was written by Spokane’s own New York Times bestselling author Jess Walter. It is Walter’s first collection of short fiction, first published in 2013. Walter’s website said the stories range “from comic tales of love to social satire and suspenseful crime fiction.”

The local author showed his appreciation for the past president’s praise in a tweet of his own.

Also a big fan of your work, sir.
(Wow, such an honor) https://t.co/vyzQSLdPHb

— Jess Walter (@1JessWalter) December 28, 2019

Obama’s recognition of this book is the latest in a series of widespread praise. A past review in the Boston Globe called it “terrifically crafted, sometimes funny, and often heartrendingly grim.”

Walter has authored eight books, including the 2013 #1 New York Times bestseller “Beautiful Ruins.”