Bill Gates is a man of remarkable intellect and curiosity. His voracious appetite for reading, devouring about 50 books a year screams about his love for lifelong learning. Whether he is on vacation or working late at night, books are his forever companions.
But what makes Bill Gates’ reading habits truly extraordinary is not just the quantity but the quality of the books he chooses to immerse himself in. These aren’t just casual reads; they’re carefully curated treasures.
Reading can inspire innovation and creativity and yield great benefits. Let’s take a look at some books which Bill Gates recommends all of us to read:
The Ride Of A Lifetime By Robert Iger
Rated: 4.5/5
The book narrates the life story of Robert Iger when he started as the CEO of Walt Disney in 2005. The book describes the challenges he overcame to reinvent and establish ‘Walt Disney’ as one of the most beloved companies in the world. Iger made three strategic choices, that made Disney so famous. 1) Devote time and capital to create high-quality content. 2) Embrace technology and use it to the fullest rather than treating it as a threat. 3) Become a truly global company. Robert believes in the endless pursuit of perfection and always stays ready to innovate. Iger also believes that there is a delicate balance between demanding people to perform their best versus paralyzing them with constant fear.
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Rated: 4.4/5
Sleep makes us smarter, healthier, safer, and more productive. This book by Dr Matthew Walker substantiates the same. The book provides insights into the importance of sleep and how it affects a human’s physical and cognitive performance. Besides that, the book also suggests how one can improve their sleep habits. The major diseases in the world like obesity, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes are linked to sleep deficiency. This book puts the limelight on all such cases and provides actionable steps towards getting a night of sound sleep.
Measure What Matters by John Doerr
Rated: 4/5
This book introduces the concept of Objectives and Key Results (OKR). It is a goal-setting framework used by companies like Google and Intel. Gates said recommending this, “A great introduction to OKRs and how they can be used to drive success.” At the heart of the OKR system lies the distinction between objectives and key results.
Objectives are ambitious and qualitative goals that define what an organisation or team want to achieve. Key results are measurable objectives that track progress towards certain objectives. The book emphasises the importance of setting ambitious goals, known as “stretch goals,” that push individuals and teams beyond their comfort zones.
Educated By Tara Westover
Rated: 4.5/5
This book is a memoir of a woman who grows isolated from society and despite having zero education goes on to earn a PhD at Cambridge and Harvard University. Tara’s household becomes a space filled with turmoil and brutality. As she continues her studies she is forced to decide between her family and education. Through this novel, we see how education can open doors to new opportunities and help people break from their past and learn to take challenges head-on.
Tap Dancing to Work: Warren Buffett on Practically Everything by Carol Loomis
Ratings: 4.4/5
This book is a collection of articles and essays written by Warren Buffet and edited by Carol Loomis. The book provides an insight into the investment philosophy, business acumen and personal life of Warren Buffet. The book covers topics like Buffet’s investment strategies, management principles, and his views on philanthropy, parenting, and public policy. This book is not merely a biography but rather a collection of anecdotes, observations, and reflections of one of the world’s most successful investors. The book looks into his early years, his partnership with Charlie Munger, and the growth of Berkshire Hathaway into a multinational conglomerate.
