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Bill Gates Shares His Summer Reading Picks
Tech pioneer, co-founder of Microsoft, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and author Bill Gates is an avid reader who has become known for his excellent book recommendations. As he has for several years now, he's once again sharing his summer reading recommendations with his fellow readers.
You can also get Gates' book recommendations throughout the year and see all the other books on his shelf by following him here.
You can also get Gates' book recommendations throughout the year and see all the other books on his shelf by following him here.
Most of my conversations and meetings these days are about COVID-19 and how we can stem the tide. But I’m also often asked about what I am reading—either because people want to learn more about pandemics, or because they are looking for a distraction. So, in addition to the five new book reviews I always write for my summer book list, I included a number of other recommendations. I hope you find something that catches your interest.
This book is partly a memoir and partly a guide to processing trauma. Eger was only 16 years old when she and her family got sent to Auschwitz. After surviving unbelievable horrors, she moved to the United States and became a therapist. Her unique background gives her amazing insight, and I think many people will find comfort right now from her suggestions on how to handle difficult situations.
This is the kind of novel you’ll think and talk about for a long time after you finish it. The plot is a bit hard to explain, because it involves six interrelated stories that take place centuries apart (including one I particularly loved about a young American doctor on a sailing ship in the South Pacific in the mid-1800s). But if you’re in the mood for a really compelling tale about the best and worst of humanity, I think you’ll find yourself as engrossed in it as I was.
The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
by Robert Iger
by Robert Iger
This is one of the best business books I’ve read in several years. Iger does a terrific job explaining what it’s really like to be the CEO of a large company. Whether you’re looking for business insights or just an entertaining read, I think anyone would enjoy his stories about overseeing Disney during one of the most transformative times in its history.
We’re living through an unprecedented time right now. But if you’re looking for a historical comparison, the 1918 influenza pandemic is as close as you’re going to get. Barry will teach you almost everything you need to know about one of the deadliest outbreaks in human history. Even though 1918 was a very different time from today, The Great Influenza is a good reminder that we’re still dealing with many of the same challenges.
Good Economics for Hard Times: Better Answers to Our Biggest Problems
by Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo
by Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo
Banerjee and Duflo won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences last year, and they’re two of the smartest economists working today. Fortunately for us, they’re also very good at making economics accessible to the average person. Their newest book takes on inequality and political divisions by focusing on policy debates that are at the forefront in wealthy countries like the United States.
For years, I was a skeptic about meditation. Now I do it as often as I can—three times a week, if time allows. Andy’s book and the app he created, Headspace, are what made me a convert. Andy, a former Buddhist monk, offers lots of helpful metaphors to explain potentially tricky concepts in meditation. At a time when we all could use a few minutes to de-stress and refocus each day, this is a great place to start.
If you’re looking to work on a new skill, you could do worse than learning to memorize things. Foer is a science writer who got interested in how memory works, and why some people seem to have an amazing ability to recall facts. He takes you inside the U.S. Memory Championship—yes, that’s a real thing—and introduces you to the techniques that, amazingly, allowed him to win the contest one year.
You may remember the movie from a few years ago, when Matt Damon—playing a botanist who’s been stranded on Mars—sets aside his fear and says, “I’m going to science the s--- out of this.” We’re doing the same thing with the novel coronavirus.
The main character in this novel is living through a situation that now feels very relatable: He can’t leave the building he’s living in. But he’s not stuck there because of a disease; it’s 1922, and he’s a Russian count who’s serving a life sentence under house arrest in a hotel. I thought it was a fun, clever, and surprisingly upbeat story about making the best of your surroundings.
All three of the Rosie novels made me laugh out loud. They’re about a genetics professor with Asperger’s syndrome who (in the first book) goes looking for a wife and then (in the second and third books) starts a family. Ultimately the story is about getting inside the mind and heart of someone a lot of people see as odd, and discovering that he isn’t really that different from anybody else. Melinda got me started on these books, and I’m glad she did.
I don’t read a lot of comics or graphic novels, but I’ve really enjoyed the few that I have picked up. The best ones combine amazing storytelling with striking visuals. In her memoir The Best We Could Do, for example, Thi Bui gains a new appreciation for what her parents—who survived the Vietnam War—went through. It’s a deeply personal book that explores what it means to be a parent and a refugee.
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened
by Allie Brosh
by Allie Brosh
On the lighter side is Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things that Happened, by Allie Brosh. You will rip through it in three hours, tops. But you’ll wish it went on longer, because it’s funny and smart as hell. I must have read Melinda a dozen hilarious passages out loud.
Finally, I love the way that former NASA engineer Randall Munroe turns offbeat science lessons into super-engaging comics. The two books of his that I’ve read and highly recommend are What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions and xkcd: volume 0. I also have Randall’s latest book, How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems, on my bookshelf and hope to read it soon. If you’ve read it, let me know what you think in the comments.
Which of these recommendations piques your interest? Let's talk books in the comments!
Check out more recent articles, including:
A New Season of Reading: The Hot Books of Summer
'Beach Read' Author Emily Henry Picks 11 Rom-Coms for the Perfect Escape
Authors Offer Their Summer Reading Recommendations
Check out more recent articles, including:
A New Season of Reading: The Hot Books of Summer
'Beach Read' Author Emily Henry Picks 11 Rom-Coms for the Perfect Escape
Authors Offer Their Summer Reading Recommendations
Comments Showing 51-100 of 160 (160 new)
message 51:
by
Iona
(new)
May 21, 2020 08:44AM
I don't suppose John M. Barry mentions or knew that the great number of deaths in the great influenza, if it's the influenza I'm thinking of, was actually caused by vaccines! Glad to see you meditate, Wouldn't have believed it. Have noted the name and author of the book.
flag
I was so excited to see I had already read some of the recommendations. I added four more from the list to my "want to read" list
Moonwalking with Einstein? Not "Funny Thing?" He has for sure read that one...Now Come on.
Wendy wrote: "I wanted to leave Good Reads before I saw the Bill Gates list... now I'm running faster than before. Bill Gates is a criminal, and lets be reminded a computer geek NOT a doctor or scientist."Agreed!
Pacific wrote: "How do I delete this psychopath from my feed"Well if the web design has anything to do with being a Microsoft design, you'll probably have to start with clicking on Add Friend and take it from there. (Sorry, a bad ass-backwards MS joke.)
(Yes, I know. The only way that would work would be if he had an account. Not to censor articles.)
Levi wrote: "Shane wrote: "Do your research on Bill Gates as it's all out there...he doesn't deserve to be given the time of day."God bless you. This man is a monster who has committed crimes against humanity"
I'm shocked that you are on a book website! In any event, take your hate and nonsense conspiracy bullshit someplace else please. This isn't the forum.
Glad to know i have at least 90% in my shelves :DCheck out my recommendations. Also, add if you find the taste similar to mine. Let's talk BOOKS!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Well, it looks like the ill informed anti-vaxxer Q idiots have infiltrated Goodreads as well. It amazes me how blinded some have become to the truth. I suggest all of you posting your hate take it to one of the conspiracy graveyards on the internet. This is not the place for your pathetic ignorance to be displayed. Mr. Gates provided some book suggestions to read. This is a book forum. If you don't like it, move on. Don't show your pettiness by posting your drivel. Sorry, but I'm getting so tired of the stupidity in this world.
Chris wrote: "Much to my surprise, I loved A Gentleman in Moscow. A quiet novel of character. Quite the opposite from another you've listed that I also loved, The Martian. Although not necessarily face-paced, I ..."A Gentleman in Moscow is one of my all time favorite books. I had the audio version which was very well done. It is a book I would like to read again.
MrsER wrote: "Who gives a crap about what this idiot is reading?"It is too bad you can't be civil. If you don't care what he is reading don't read about it.
Wow, so many ignorant responses in such a short space.
Andy wrote: "another recommendation for the martian...groundbreaking"like it's 2020, i get he's probably busy but damn
Every time Good Reads publishes a list of recommendations by famous people a small amount of folks find it necessary to insult them. This is a site about reading. If you are not interested or dislike the person, just don't read it. The majority of us come here to learn about books in many different ways. Lets be civil. A quality that is lacking on so many other sites.
Shannon wrote: "Scott wrote: "Well, it looks like the ill informed anti-vaxxer Q idiots have infiltrated Goodreads as well. It amazes me how blinded some have become to the truth. I suggest all of you posting your..."Well, I didn't bring up Trump's name. The fact that you did is very telling on your motivation for posting your attacks. I suggest you let it go. This is a forum for books, not your political views.
Scott wrote: "Well, it looks like the ill informed anti-vaxxer Q idiots have infiltrated Goodreads as well. It amazes me how blinded some have become to the truth. I suggest all of you posting your hate take it ..."Scott, there is a place to flag the comment. If enough of us do this, maybe we can rid ourselves of incivility.
Cheryl wrote: "Scott wrote: "Well, it looks like the ill informed anti-vaxxer Q idiots have infiltrated Goodreads as well. It amazes me how blinded some have become to the truth. I suggest all of you posting your..."Good point, Cheryl. Thanks.
Does Bill Gates ever shut the fuck up - as if anyone is rushing out to read these pretentious recs
Michael wrote: "I've read books recommended by Bill Gates before and either it's my bad luck or his bad choices, but I've never read one I like. Right now, I don't trust his list. Maybe I will in the future."Try A Gentleman from Moscow. I think you will enjoy it.
Shannon wrote: "Scott wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Scott wrote: "Well, it looks like the ill informed anti-vaxxer Q idiots have infiltrated Goodreads as well. It amazes me how blinded some have become to the truth. I s..."Still not posting about books. Take it elsewhere.
For those of us who want to read comments about books and not rude, insulting or crude remarks - on the bottom right hand side is a place to flag. When you do this you have to provide an explanation. Very simple, we want to read comments about books. Maybe if enough of us do this Good Reads will monitor this. It should not be used if you disagree with the persons review of a book or may not agree with the choice, but only if the comment is not book related.
Thank you for the suggestion. I hope that Goodreads will screen out inappropriate comments about the authors in the future. We want to hear about books not political opinions.
For the last several months, I haven't been able to escape Mr. Bill Gates's presence on the internet and other media venues. I haven't particularly liked the guy before, but now I am becoming afraid of him. Here he is in his pink sweater wearing that smarmy facial expression I've seen so often recently.
Maybe it is a good thing Mr. Gates is reading the book The Great Influenza by John Barry, or maybe not.
Once many years ago I somehow or other learned Mr. Gates was reading Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond. I guess it made him an expert on these matters. Strange, though, because I've read these books, too, and a great deal more, and no one cares a damn what I think about this pandemic stuff.
That's a good thing, though. We really shouldn't care what Bill Gates thinks either. His little list here is fine, I would say. If you want to care about what he's reading, I'm cheering you. If you are influenced to behave the way he wants you to, maybe I can arrange another reading list giving alternative views.
The Fruits of Graft: Great Depressions Then and NowProlonging the Agony: How The International Bankers and their Political Partners Deliberately Extended WWI
The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy
Black Rednecks and White Liberals
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race and Identity
The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure
The Return of Christendom: Demography, Politics, and the Coming Christian Majority
Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline
Showdown: Confronting Bias, Lies, and the Special Interests That Divide America
The Red Thread: A Search for Ideological Drivers Inside the Anti-Trump Conspiracy
Evan wrote: "The reading recommendations of a monopolist who stifled technical innovation and forced everyone to waste countless hours of their lives trying to get his shitty software to work? No thanks."Yup! A monopolist who suddenly decided to be a philanthropist with absolutely NO selfish ambition for power in the midst of it...
Levi wrote: "Shane wrote: "Do your research on Bill Gates as it's all out there...he doesn't deserve to be given the time of day."God bless you. This man is a monster who has committed crimes against humanity"
Concur with this view. He also highly recommends "Globalism made easy," and "How to test out vaccines on Africans for dummies"
Shannon wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "For those of us who want to read comments about books and not rude, insulting or crude remarks - on the bottom right hand side is a place to flag. When you do this you have to provid..."You are certainly able to flag his comment as well. The point is for all of us to use this site for books not for personal opinions about other people or things. I gave Scott a way to respond other than retaliating. I found similar comments when Jenna Bush Hager recommended books and people made insulting remarks about her and her father. And I made the same stand. That is not what we are all here for. Maybe now you get my point. For everyone, this is a site about books and reading. There are lots of other web sites where you can go to post your other opinions.
Shame on you for your crimes against humanity, Billy G. Eugenicist.
Although eclectic it sounds really amazing. Thanks Bill!
I actually met Dr. Edith Eger when she came to speak at my university 7 years ago. Added her book to my TBR. Thanks for sharing your summer reading list!
What's so special about Bill Gates that he gets to share his reading list? It's not enough that he dedicated his billions to the privatization of public education but he also gets to be literary tastemaker?
I just finished listening to Randall Munroe's "How To...". It was my first by him but won't be the last. The audiobook is read by Wil Wheaton and is a lot of fun!
Scott wrote: "Well, it looks like the ill informed anti-vaxxer Q idiots have infiltrated Goodreads as well. It amazes me how blinded some have become to the truth. I suggest all of you posting your hate take it ..."Thank you thank you!!! There is one other thread that has had a string of personal attacks also that just disappoints & saddens me. I am on Goodreads to discuss books, share books, discover new books & authors etc. Not make judgement about people reviewing or recommending them. This is about the only social media platform I'm on because all this hate & vitriol keeps me away from others.
Cheryl wrote: "Every time Good Reads publishes a list of recommendations by famous people a small amount of folks find it necessary to insult them. This is a site about reading. If you are not interested or disli..."Another thank you and a vote here for civility.
Shannon wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "For those of us who want to read comments about books and not rude, insulting or crude remarks - on the bottom right hand side is a place to flag. When..."Just give it up already. Keep attacking me if it makes you feel good. I don't care. I came to this thread to read about his suggestions, not your political attacks that "you're not doing". Forgive me if anti-vaxxer logic doesn't sit well with me. Mr. Gates has done more for humanity than you ever will. So don't lecture us and call us hypocrites when you do the exact same thing. Just move on to another thread and post your "opinions". We will instead discuss the books listed.
Of which, I read A Man in Moscow a little while back. It was one of those books I couldn't put down. Made a lot of what we're currently going through now seem manageable. I would recommend it wholeheartedly.
I love Bill Gates and what he does, but let's be honest - this is such a pathetic list.
Chris wrote: "Scott wrote: "Well, it looks like the ill informed anti-vaxxer Q idiots have infiltrated Goodreads as well. It amazes me how blinded some have become to the truth. I suggest all of you posting your..."Thanks Chris. I've been on here for years and have enjoyed it as a "stress free" environment. That was until the last 4 years as our world has changed. Just wish we could discuss books on a site about books instead of arguing and nonstop personal attacks. Maybe it will get back to that soon.
Scott wrote: "Well, it looks like the ill informed anti-vaxxer Q idiots have infiltrated Goodreads as well. It amazes me how blinded some have become to the truth. I suggest all of you posting your hate take it ..."Amen. I totally agree. I'm so tired of these no nothings polluting comments sections on Facebook ... and now they have migrated here.
A Gentleman in Moscow is one of my favorite books. I'm glad he picked a graphic novel. I just placed The best we can do on hold at my library.
Great recommendations. The books look really interesting and I can see myself reading those soon.
Love that Hyperbole and a Half is on there. Wasn't expecting that one. One of my all time favs.
This summer was a very disappointing list in my opinion.
Shannon wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "For those of us who want to read comments about books and not rude, insulting or crude remarks - on the bottom right hand side is a place to flag. When..."I will disagree with you about two things. First it is all of our jobs to promote civility. We are such a divided country and can only succeed if we can try to be respectful of each other. Second, comments should be related to the subject and the subject was book recommendations. Otherwise I can just post my favorite pizza. I did look at the link you sent and many comments were really awful, I think it is appalling. We have both spent too much time on this. If you need to have the last word, go ahead. I won’t be seeing it. I have decided the best option for me is to avoid the comments. It seems to be the only way to avoid all this negativity.
Mark wrote: "Honestly, who cares what Bill Gates reads?"Not sure where all the negative vibe in this thread is coming from. He's just a person, a human being.
I found the list interesting and relatable.
