Bill Gates’ Favourite Reads

What one of the world’s most eminent billionaire really reads—and why you might want to, too.

When Bill Gates isn't shaping global health policy or investing in green energy, he's doing something much quieter but just as powerful: reading. A lifelong bookworm, Gates credits much of his knowledge and outlook to the hundreds of books he reads every year—covering topics as wide-ranging as science, psychology, leadership, and even historical fiction.

But with so many recommendations across his blog GatesNotes, interviews, and speeches, a natural question arises:

Which books are his absolute favorites?

In this post, we’ve ranked Gates’ most beloved books; not just the ones he read, but the ones that truly shaped him. For each, you’ll find the genre, a detailed summary, why Gates loves it, with of course; no spoilers! 

10: “Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari 

Genre: History and Anthropology 

 Yuval Noah Harari is a historian and thinker known for making big ideas easy to understand. His bestselling book Sapiens takes readers on a fascinating journey through the history of our species, from early hunter-gatherers to modern societies. 

Harari blends science, history, and philosophy to explore how humans came to dominate the planet. It’s a book that has captured the imagination of millions around the world.

Although Gates has stated that he doesn’t agree with some of Harari’s conclusions, he says that he finds the book quite stimulating. He has also said: 

"I’m glad I read it. It sparked lots of great conversations."
"Sapiens takes on the big questions and doesn’t shy away from the tough answers."

Find a spoiler-free review of “Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari 

9: “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Genre: Biography and History 

 This critically acclaimed biography of Abraham Lincoln shows how he built his cabinet out of political enemies and earned their respect to hold the Union together. It's about leadership, humility, and unity in a divided America.

Gates admires Lincoln’s emotional intelligence and strategic brilliance. He has expressed that he sees this book as not just history, but a guide for inclusive and moral leadership today.

"A great study in leadership—one of the best biographies I’ve read."
"Lincoln’s genius was in humility and inclusion. A model for leaders today."

8: “Mindset” by Carol S. Dweck 

Genre: Psychology and Self-Help 

 In this book that has made an impact on readers worldwide, “Mindset” by Carol Dweck aims to showcase the current educational mindset and its limitations, exploring how in today’s world, a different approach and a growth-oriented mindset can benefit individuals and society as a whole. 

It aims to draw the differences between a “fixed mindset” and a “growth mindset”, helping us learn to embrace our unique skills and qualities, and also serves as a guide to accommodating a growth-oriented mindset in our own personal lives. 

Gates often refers to this book when discussing educational reform and youth development.

"The idea of growth mindset has become one of the most influential ideas in education."

Find a spoiler-free review of “Mindset” by Carol s. Dweck

7: “The Better Angels of Our Nature” by Steven Pinker

Genre: Psychology and History 

In this book, Harvard professor Steven Pinker argues that contrary to popular belief and the prescence of ceaseless stories of violence on the rise through various forms in modern society, we actually live in the most peaceful period in the history of our species- yet.

Pinker uses (an overwhelming amount of) real life statistics, explaining how throughout our history, different changes in the lives of human beings and our evolution as a whole pioneered these changes; along with the deep-rooted psychological reasons.

Bill Gates claims that this was the first Pinker book that influenced his worldview.

"It opened my eyes to how much progress we’ve made—and how easily we overlook it."

6: “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande 

Genre: Medicine, Philosophy 

Atul Gawande’s bestseller “Being Mortal” dives into themes of life, mortality, and the inevitability of death. 

Gawande, a renowned surgeon, uses his experiences through the stories of his friends and family, and his own experiences as a med student and as a doctor. He writes about how the current ways of mortality, that is, through modern healthcare, can bring suffering to the individual rather than helping them. 

The book also deals with how the modern healthcare system can at times fail to meet the needs of seniors in terms of end-of-life care, but above all, it emphasises that in the end, it’s not about how you die, it’s about how you live until your last breath.

This book profoundly impacted how Gates thinks about healthcare and end-of-life care.

"I would recommend this book to anyone who’s going to die someday—which is everyone."

"It’s so humane and wise."

5: “The Sixth Extinction” by Elizabeth Kolbert

Genre: Environment

Following the five previous mass extinction events experienced by out planet, “The Sixth Extinction” discusses a completely new kind of potential mass extinction events that has not been triggered by an asteroid, but by human beings. 

Elizabeth Kolbert shows how self-destructive human activities are ultimately leading to catastrophe, what has happened, what CAN happen in the future, what scientists and other individuals around the world are doing about this, and what we all should do collectively to avoid disaster. 

"A very readable and accessible account of the crisis we’re living through."
"It’s deeply sobering—and necessary."

4: “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles

Genre: Fiction

Set in early 20th-century Russia, “A Gentleman in Moscow” follows the story of a cultured aristocrat who is sentenced to house arrest in a grand hotel. Confined within its walls for years, he must adjust to a dramatically changed life while the world outside transforms through revolution, war, and political upheaval. Despite the limitations imposed on him, he finds depth, meaning, and unexpected purpose in the people he meets and the quiet routines he builds.

Towles crafts a narrative that blends history, philosophy, and subtle humor. The novel explores themes of resilience, identity, time, and the quiet strength of character in the face of loss.

Bill Gates doesn’t usually recommend fiction books, but he deeply enjoyed this one.

"This novel is a delight—charming, intelligent, and elegantly written."

"Count Rostov’s grace under pressure is something I really admired."

3: “The Gene” by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Genre: Science, Genetics and History 

Diving deep within the intracellular level, “The Gene” by Siddharth Mukherjee talks about the history of the gene and genetic research, spanning from Aristotle to Crick, Watson and Franklin, to 21st century scientists mapping the human genome. 

The book also raises powerful questions about identity, destiny, and the future of human evolution. As it explores the potential and perils of technologies like CRISPR, cloning, and gene therapy, it urges readers to reflect on what it means to “fix” a gene and whether science should push every boundary it can. Both a scientific chronicle and a human story, this book is as much about the soul as it is about science.

Gates praises Mukherjee’s storytelling and ability to make science approachable.

"A brilliant and engaging writer... I couldn’t put it down." 

"Mukherjee has a gift for making complex science both accessible and thrilling."

2: “Factfulness” by Hans Rosling 

Genre: Psychology

 

Global bestseller “Factfulness” talks about how humans see the modern world, going through several different instincts, perceptions, and misconceptions that humans may have about the world.

Moreover, Rosling explores how majority of these behaviours formed as a result of our early human lives as hunter-gatherers, and how we could balance these millennia old psychological functioning with the realities and changes of modern society, and at times, how easily we may overlook progress that we make together as humans. 

Bill Gates has mentioned that he found this book quite thought-provoking and perspective-changing. 

“One of the most educational books I’ve ever read—it explains why progress is often invisible." 

"Everyone should read it. It’s a hopeful book about the potential for human progress."

1: “Enlightenment Now” by Steven Pinker

Genre: Philosophy 

Steven Pinker argues that despite what we see in the news, the world is getting better, not worse. Using data and evidence, he shows that life has improved dramatically in terms of health, wealth, safety, peace, knowledge, and happiness—thanks to the values of the Enlightenment: reason, science, and humanism.

"It’s better than I could have hoped. It’s not just the best book Pinker’s ever written. It’s my new favorite book of all time."