8 Books Recommended By Bill Gates

Bill Gates' Book Recommendation

Bill Gates often shares book recommendations on his blog, Gates Notes. Here are eight books he has recommended:

"Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

Gates enjoys this memoir for its humor and insight into apartheid South Africa and the author’s personal journey.

"The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future" by Gretchen Bakke

Gates finds this book enlightening on the complexities and challenges of the American energy grid.

"Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress" by Steven Pinker

Another work by Pinker, this book aligns with Gates' optimistic worldview, arguing that the world is improving thanks to Enlightenment values.

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

Gates has mentioned this classic novel as one of his favorite books from his youth.

"Educated" by Tara Westover

This memoir about growing up in a strict and abusive household and later pursuing education is one of Gates' favorites for its compelling storytelling and themes of resilience.

"Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think" by Hans Rosling

Gates appreciates Rosling's data-driven approach to debunking common misconceptions about the state of the world.

"The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined" by Steven Pinker

Gates is a fan of Pinker's argument that violence has decreased over time, providing an optimistic view of human progress.

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

Gates praises this book for its sweeping overview of human history and its thought-provoking insights.