Bill Gates' Reading List

Bill Gates is one of the most well-known figures in the world of technology and philanthropy. As the co-founder of Microsoft, he has been an instrumental force in shaping the technology industry and as a philanthropist, he has worked tirelessly to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems. But in addition to his work in technology and philanthropy, Gates is also an avid reader and a big proponent of reading as a way to expand your knowledge and understanding of the world. Over the years, he has recommended a number of books that he believes are worth reading, and in this post, we’ll take a closer look at his reading habits and some of his book recommendations.

Reading Habits

Bill Gates has always been an avid reader, and he has often credited reading with much of his success. In a 2016 interview with The New York Times, he revealed that he reads for about an hour each night before going to bed. He also takes a bag of books with him when he travels and tries to read as much as possible during his downtime. Gates is known for being a fast reader, and he estimates that he reads about 50 books a year.

In order to stay organized and keep track of what he has read, Gates maintains a blog where he writes reviews of the books he has read. The blog is called Gates Notes, and it features a wide range of books that he has recommended over the years. In addition to writing reviews, Gates also uses the blog as a way to share his thoughts on various topics related to reading and education.

Book Recommendations

Gates’ book recommendations cover a wide range of topics, from science and technology to history and politics. He has recommended books on everything from climate change to artificial intelligence to the history of vaccines. Here are some of his most notable book recommendations:

"The Rosie Project" by Graeme Simsion

This is a romantic comedy about a genetics professor named Don Tillman who is looking for love. Don is on the autism spectrum and has trouble connecting with people, but he decides to create a questionnaire to find the perfect partner. Gates enjoyed this book because he found it to be both funny and insightful.

"Seveneves" by Neal Stephenson

This science fiction novel imagines what would happen if the moon exploded and the Earth only had two years before it would be destroyed by the resulting meteor shower. Gates found this book to be a thought-provoking exploration of science and technology.

"The Better Angels of Our Nature" by Steven Pinker

This book explores the history of violence and argues that despite the horrors of the modern world, we are actually living in the most peaceful time in human history. Gates found this book to be a hopeful and optimistic take on the future of humanity.

"Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

This book offers a sweeping history of human civilization, from the evolution of our species to the rise of agriculture to the present day. Gates found this book to be a fascinating look at the big picture of human history.

"Business Adventures" by John Brooks

This book is a collection of essays about various business scandals and events, including the rise of Xerox and the downfall of Ford’s Edsel. Gates has said that this book is his favorite business book of all time.

These are just a few examples of the books that Gates has recommended over the years. In addition to these books, he has also recommended many other titles covering a wide range of topics.

Gates Notes

As mentioned earlier, Gates maintains a blog called Gates Notes where he writes reviews of the books he has read. The blog is an excellent resource for anyone looking for book recommendations, as Gates writes thoughtful and detailed reviews of each book. The reviews cover a wide range of topics and offer insights into why Gates found each book valuable. Additionally, Gates often includes quotes from the books that he finds particularly insightful or thought-provoking.

Gates Notes also features articles written by Gates himself, where he shares his thoughts on a variety of topics related to reading and education. For example, he has written about the importance of reading, the benefits of reading fiction, and how to choose the right book for you. In one article, he even shared his personal reading list for the summer, which included a mix of non-fiction and fiction titles.

One particularly interesting aspect of Gates Notes is that Gates often includes interviews with the authors of the books he has read. These interviews offer a behind-the-scenes look at the writing process and provide insights into the author’s thoughts and motivations. Gates has even conducted video interviews with authors, which are available on his blog and on YouTube.

Why Gates’ Book Recommendations Matter

Bill Gates is one of the most influential people in the world, and his book recommendations carry a lot of weight. When he recommends a book, it can have a significant impact on sales and public perception of the book. For example, when Gates recommended "The Rosie Project" on his blog, sales of the book increased significantly, and it became a bestseller.

But Gates’ book recommendations are more than just a way to boost sales. They are also a way for him to share his knowledge and expertise with the world. Gates has spent his entire career pushing the boundaries of science and technology, and he believes that reading is a crucial part of the learning process. By sharing his book recommendations, he is helping to promote the importance of reading and encouraging people to expand their knowledge and understanding of the world.