Billionaire Reading List
What Bill Gates Reads
Bill Gates reads about 50 books a year and reviews them publicly. These are his favorites.
“Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.”
8 books • Links are affiliate (details below)
Factfulness
by Hans Rosling
“One of the most important books I've ever read — an indispensable guide to thinking clearly about the world.”Buy on Amazon
The Better Angels of Our Nature
by Steven Pinker
“The most inspiring book I've ever read. Pinker shows that the world is getting better.”Buy on Amazon
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster
by Bill Gates
“I wrote this book because I think we need a plan to get to zero greenhouse gas emissions.”Buy on Amazon
Sapiens
by Yuval Noah Harari
“Both Melinda and I read this book and it sparked many great dinner conversations.”Buy on Amazon
Deep Work
by Cal Newport
“The ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable. This book explains how to cultivate that skill.”Buy on Amazon
Range
by David Epstein
“One of the most important books I read in 2020. In a world that demands specialization, generalists are actually the ones who excel. Epstein makes a compelling, research-backed case.”Buy on Amazon
When Breath Becomes Air
by Paul Kalanithi
“A neurosurgeon facing terminal cancer reflects on what makes life meaningful. Gates called it one of the most impactful books he's ever read.”Buy on Amazon
The Fifth Discipline
by Peter M. Senge
“Senge's framework for building learning organizations changed how Gates thought about scaling Microsoft. Systems thinking is the meta-skill every leader needs.”Buy on Amazon
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Disclosure: Links on this page go to Amazon and include an affiliate tag. If you buy something, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Book recommendations are sourced from publicly available interviews, annual letters, and book clubs. Attributions may be paraphrased or reflect secondhand reporting — we do our best but can't guarantee perfect accuracy. These attributions do not imply endorsement of this site by any individual listed. This page was compiled with AI assistance.
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