Our two most popular celebrity posts last summer were Obama’s summer reading list and Bill Gates summer reading list. We’re still waiting for the President’s summer reads of 2017 (and are happy to wait as long as four years!), but what we do have for you today is Bill Gates summer reading list 2017, the five books the computer mogul is recommending this year.
This year Gates said he choose books that helped him better understand what it’s like to grow up outside the mainstream and the list reflects that. So wherever you’re doing your summer reading, here are the five books Bill Gates recommends this summer.
Born a Crime – Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah was born to a black South African mother and a white Swiss father in apartheid South Africa, he entered the world as a biracial child in a country where mixed race relationships were forbidden. This moving memoir is funny, and insightful and is likely to offer you an acute perspective.
The Heart – Maylis de Kerangal
The Heart is described as an exploration of grief. Beautifully written, the novel tells the story of a heart transplant as a young man is killed in an accident. Gates describes it as poetic, and while you’ll find it in the fiction section, he recommends it to fans of nonfiction.
Hillbilly Elegy – J. D Vance
Hillbilly Blues has been recommended in many circles this year. Dive into the disadvantaged world of poor white Appalachia as Vance describes a chaotic, impoverished childhood in this insightful memoir.
Homo Deus – Yuval Noah Harari
Gates recommended Harari’s previous book, Sapiens in last year’s summer reading list and he promises that the follow up is just as challenging, readable and thought-provoking. Harari looks at society and the things that shape us, and the things we’ll need to change to continue.
A Full Life – Jimmy Carter
Ex-president, Jimmy Carter has written many books but this one still manages to be full of witty anecdotes in this condensed autobiography and how growing up in poverty, shaped his presidency.
You can read why Bill Gates loved all these books here at his blog, or watch the video below:
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