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Bill Gates' Favourite Books

Books Bill Gates has repeatedly recommended on GatesNotes — the reading behind one of the most curious minds in tech.

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  1. 1
    Sapiens cover
    Sapiens
    Yuval Noah Harari

    "I would recommend Sapiens to anyone interested in the history of our species."

    ✦ Big ideas★ 4.2
  2. 2
    Educated cover
    Educated
    Tara Westover

    A memoir Gates called even better than the hype.

    ✦ Big ideas★ 4.5
  3. 3
    Factfulness cover
    Factfulness
    Hans Rosling

    "One of the most important books I've ever read."

    ✦ Big ideas★ 4.3
  4. 4
    Enlightenment Now cover
    Enlightenment Now
    Steven Pinker

    "My new favorite book of all time."

    ✦ Big ideas★ 4.8
  5. 5
    The Better Angels of Our Nature cover
    The Better Angels of Our Nature
    Steven Pinker

    Gates' long-standing pick on why violence has declined.

    ✦ Big ideas★ 3.9
  6. 6
    Business Adventures cover
    Business Adventures
    John Brooks

    The business book Warren Buffett lent him — still his favourite.

    ✦ Big ideas
  7. 7
    Seveneves cover
    Seveneves
    Neal Stephenson

    The novel that got Gates back into science fiction.

    ✦ Big ideas★ 4.3
  8. 8
    The Rosie Project cover
    The Rosie Project
    Graeme Simsion

    A novel he and Melinda both devoured.

    ✦ Big ideas★ 3.9
  9. 9
    Why We Sleep cover
    Why We Sleep
    Matthew P. Walker, Matthew Walker

    Changed how he thinks about rest.

    ✦ Big ideas★ 4.5
  10. 10
    The Code Breaker cover
    The Code Breaker
    Walter Isaacson, Kathe Mazur, Sarah Durand

    CRISPR, Jennifer Doudna, and the future of the human race.

    ✦ Big ideas★ 3.8