Bill Gates regularly shares his reading list on his blog, Gatesnotes and this has shown us he’s an avid reader. In his summer reads blog he tells us he always likes to have a bunch of books for vacation and would rather have too much to read than too little. We’re sure you reading addicts will be able to relate to that and so we’re reproducing his summer reading list here for you!
This summer, Bill Gates is recommending five books and here they are, along with what he says about them.
Upheaval – Jared Diamond
“I’m a big fan of everything Jared has written, and his latest is no exception. The book explores how societies react during moments of crisis. He uses a series of fascinating case studies to show how nations managed existential challenges like civil war, foreign threats, and general malaise. It sounds a bit depressing, but I finished the book even more optimistic about our ability to solve problems than I started.”
Nine Pints – Rose George
“If you get grossed out by blood, this one probably isn’t for you. But if you’re like me and find it fascinating, you’ll enjoy this book by a British journalist with an especially personal connection to the subject. I’m a big fan of books that go deep on one specific topic, so Nine Pints (the title refers to the volume of blood in the average adult) was right up my alley. It’s filled with super-interesting facts that will leave you with a new appreciation for blood.”
A Gentleman in Moscow – Amor Towles
” It seems like everyone I know has read this book. I finally joined the club after my brother-in-law sent me a copy, and I’m glad I did. Towles’s novel about a count sentenced to life under house arrest in a Moscow hotel is fun, clever, and surprisingly upbeat. Even if you don’t enjoy reading about Russia as much as I do (I’ve read every book by Dostoyevsky), A Gentleman in Moscow is an amazing story that anyone can enjoy.”
Presidents of War – Michael Beschloss
“My interest in all aspects of the Vietnam War is the main reason I decided to pick up this book. By the time I finished it, I learned a lot not only about Vietnam but about the eight other major conflicts the U.S. entered between the turn of the 19th century and the 1970s. Beschloss’s broad scope lets you draw important cross-cutting lessons about presidential leadership.”
The Future of Capitalism – Paul Collier
“Collier’s latest book is a thought-provoking look at a topic that’s top of mind for a lot of people right now. Although I don’t agree with him about everything—I think his analysis of the problem is better than his proposed solutions—his background as a development economist gives him a smart perspective on where capitalism is headed.”
You can see Gates talking about his summer reads in this video:
And find out more at his blog, Gatesnotes, here.
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