Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, is one of the most influential tech entrepreneurs and philanthropists of our time. Born in 1955 in Seattle, Washington, Gates demonstrated early interest and aptitude in computer programming, which led him to drop out of Harvard University to pursue his vision of personal computing for every household. Under his leadership, Microsoft became a dominant player in the tech industry, revolutionizing software development and accessibility with products like Windows and Office. Since stepping down from Microsoft, Gates has dedicated much of his vast fortune to global health, education, and climate change initiatives through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
❝Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.❞ — Bill Gates
Gates is well-known for his dedication to reading and learning, often discussing books on his personal blog and sharing annual reading lists that span a range of topics from public health to climate change and political history. His avid reading habits are part of a broader commitment to lifelong learning and understanding complex global issues. Gates credits reading not only as a source of knowledge but also as a way to test his understanding and to challenge his assumptions. His reflective approach to reading emphasizes the importance of being informed and remaining curious about the world.
Bill Gates' Favorite Books
Last Updated: June 2024
Reinventing American Health Care: How the Affordable Care Act Will Improve Our Terribly Complex, Blatantly Unjust, Outrageously Expensive, Grossly Inefficient, Error Prone System
Author: Ezekiel J. Emanuel
Publisher: PublicAffairs
Date: Mar 4th, 2014
Emanuel provides an in-depth analysis of the U.S. health care system and the effects of the Affordable Care Act, offering insights into the future of health care reform in America.
Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel
Author: George Saunders
Publisher: Random House
Date: Feb 14th, 2017
Set during the American Civil War, Saunders' novel is an experimental narrative about Abraham Lincoln mourning the death of his young son, Willie, depicted through a chorus of voices from spirits inhabiting the graveyard where Willie is temporarily interred.
An American Marriage
Author: Tayari Jones
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Date: Feb 6th, 2018
Tayari Jones tells a poignant story of a newlywed African American couple whose lives are shattered when the husband is wrongly imprisoned, exploring themes of love, loyalty, race, and injustice.
The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir
Author: Thi Bui
Publisher: Abrams ComicArts
Date: Mar 7th, 2017
This graphic memoir recounts Thi Bui's journey as a Vietnamese refugee to the United States, exploring the complex themes of family, identity, and displacement while tracing her family's history through decades of tumultuous changes.
The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
Author: Marc Levinson
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date: Apr 5th, 2016
Levinson explores the revolutionary impact of the shipping container, detailing how its introduction transformed global trade and logistics, significantly boosting the global economy by streamlining processes and reducing transportation costs.
The Future of Capitalism: Facing the New Anxieties
Author: Paul Collier
Publisher: Harper
Date: Dec 4th, 2018
Economist Paul Collier discusses the challenges facing contemporary capitalism, including social and geographical divisions, and proposes pragmatic, ethical solutions to address these issues and rejuvenate the system.
The Gene: An Intimate History
Author: Siddhartha Mukherjee
Publisher: Scribner
Date: May 17th, 2016
Mukherjee provides a compelling history of genetic research from Mendel to modern gene editing, interweaving science with personal stories of his own family's struggle with genetic diseases.
String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis
Author: David Foster Wallace
Publisher: Library of America
Date: May 10th, 2016
This collection of essays showcases Wallace's deep affinity for tennis, where he combines his personal experience and professional insight to explore the beauty and complexity of the sport with his characteristic wit and intelligence.
The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality
Author: Angus Deaton
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date: Sep 23rd, 2013
Nobel laureate Angus Deaton explores the historical and current disparities in health and wealth among nations, discussing how some countries have made dramatic progress, while others remain mired in poverty, and the complex factors that drive these inequalities.
Super Freakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance
Author: Steven D. Levitt
Publisher: William Morrow
Date: Oct 20th, 2009
A continuation of their first book, Levitt and Dubner use economic theories to explore counterintuitive hypotheses and offer unconventional analysis on various social, moral, and economic issues.
Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization
Author: Vaclav Smil
Publisher: Wiley
Date: Dec 16th, 2013
Smil examines the material basis of modern civilization, discussing how the extraction and processing of materials have shaped industries and the environment, and explores the trends and necessities of dematerialization for sustainable future development.
Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
Author: Daron Acemoglu
Publisher: Crown Currency
Date: Mar 20th, 2012
This book explores why some nations achieve economic success while others do not, attributing the differences to political and economic institutions that either spur growth or hinder it, rather than geography or culture.
The Rosie Effect: A Novel
Author: Graeme Simsion
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: Dec 30th, 2014
In this sequel to The Rosie Project, the socially awkward but lovable geneticist Don Tillman continues his quirky and humorous journey through married life with Rosie, facing new challenges as they prepare to welcome their first child.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
Author: J. D. Vance
Publisher: Harper
Date: Jun 28th, 2016
Vance's memoir offers a probing look at the struggles of America's white working class through his personal story of growing up in a poor Appalachian family, highlighting the social, economic, and cultural pressures that affect this community.
How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking
Author: Jordan Ellenberg
Publisher: Penguin Press
Date: May 29th, 2014
Ellenberg uses engaging examples and stories to show how mathematical thinking can help us make better decisions, challenge misconceptions, and understand patterns that underlie everyday life.
The Rosie Project: A Novel
Author: Graeme Simsion
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: Oct 1st, 2013
This charming and witty novel follows the socially awkward geneticist Don Tillman as he designs a scientific survey to find the perfect wife, only to have his best-laid plans upended by the spontaneous and unpredictable Rosie.
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
Author: John Carreyrou
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Date: Jan 28th, 2020
This investigative account exposes the dramatic rise and scandalous fall of Theranos, the biotech startup headed by Elizabeth Holmes, who deceived investors and the public about a revolutionary blood-testing technology that never actually worked.
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
Author: Matthew Walker PhD
Publisher: Scribner
Date: Oct 3rd, 2017
This book delves into the critical importance of sleep, presenting scientific research to demonstrate how sleep affects our ability to learn, function, and live healthier lives, while explaining the devastating consequences of sleep deprivation.
Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words
Author: Randall Munroe
Publisher: Dey Street Books
Date: Nov 24th, 2015
Randall Munroe uses line drawings and only the thousand most common English words to explain how various scientific and mechanical processes work.
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow
Author: Yuval Noah Harari
Publisher: Harper
Date: Feb 21st, 2017
This thought-provoking book speculates on the future of mankind, discussing how ongoing technological and genetic advancements may fundamentally alter human life and even lead to the creation of a superhuman class.
The Heart: A Novel
Author: Maylis de Kerangal
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date: Feb 9th, 2016
De Kerangal's novel focuses on the emotional and complex process of a heart transplant, detailing the 24 hours from the tragic death of a young man to the moment his heart begins to beat in the chest of the recipient, offering a poetic exploration of life and death.
How Asia Works: Success and Failure in the World's Most Dynamic Region
Author: Joe Studwell
Publisher: Grove Press
Date: Jun 25th, 2013
Studwell analyzes the economic policies of Asian countries to determine why some nations, like Japan, South Korea, and China, have experienced spectacular growth, while others have lagged behind, highlighting strategies in agriculture, manufacturing, and finance that contribute to success.
Being Nixon: A Man Divided
Author: Evan Thomas
Publisher: Random House
Date: Jun 16th, 2015
Thomas paints a complex portrait of Richard Nixon, focusing on his challenging presidency and personal insecurities, aiming to provide a balanced view of his achievements and the scandals that plagued his tenure.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Author: Phil Knight
Publisher: Scribner
Date: Apr 26th, 2016
This memoir provides an insider's glimpse into the founding and building of Nike, as Phil Knight recounts his journey from selling shoes out of his car trunk to running one of the most iconic and profitable global shoe brands.
Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life
Author: Diane Tavenner
Publisher: Currency
Date: Sep 17th, 2019
Diane Tavenner, founder of the successful Summit Public Schools, shares her educational philosophy and practical tools for parents to help children become self-motivated, competent, and resilient individuals prepared for success.
Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World
Author: Mark Miodownik
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Date: May 27th, 2014
Miodownik delves into the fascinating world of materials science, revealing how everyday objects like paper, glass, and plastic are constructed and why they behave the way they do.
Capitalism without Capital: The Rise of the Intangible Economy
Author: Jonathan Haskel
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date: Nov 28th, 2017
This book explores the growing impact of intangible assets like intellectual property, branding, and digital products on the economy, which are reshaping traditional economic structures and business practices.
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Publisher: Apple
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Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading
Author: Chris Anderson
Publisher: Crown
Date: Jan 23rd, 2024
Anderson explores how acts of generosity can spread through communities and societies, transforming the way people interact and contribute to each other's lives, with a focus on creating a more altruistic society.
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History
Author: Elizabeth Kolbert
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Date: Feb 11th, 2014
Elizabeth Kolbert's Pulitzer-winning work details the ongoing mass extinction caused by human activity, comparing it to past extinction events.
The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
Author: Robert Iger
Publisher: Random House
Date: Sep 23rd, 2019
Robert Iger shares the leadership insights and principles he gleaned during his tenure as CEO of Disney, detailing his pivotal decisions and the acquisitions that helped shape the future of the media and entertainment giant.
Cloud Atlas: A Novel
Author: David Mitchell
Publisher: Random House
Date: Nov 20th, 2012
An intricate tale where six interlinked narratives spanning different time periods and genres explore how individual actions and consequences ripple through time, ultimately influencing one another in profound ways.
Stress Test: Reflections on Financial Crises
Author: Timothy F. Geithner
Publisher: Crown
Date: May 12th, 2014
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner provides an insider's account of the 2008 financial crisis, detailing the decisions and strategies implemented to stabilize the financial system and prevent economic collapse.
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
Author: Steven Pinker
Publisher: Penguin Books
Date: Oct 4th, 2011
Pinker uses extensive data to argue that, contrary to popular belief, violence has significantly decreased throughout human history, and he examines the cultural and societal mechanisms that have led to this decline.
Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War
Author: Paul Scharre
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Date: Apr 24th, 2018
Scharre explores the cutting-edge world of autonomous weapons and the ethical, legal, and strategic implications of using robots in warfare, questioning the future of military tactics and the risks of machines making life-or-death decisions.
The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail-But Some Don't
Author: Nate Silver
Publisher: Penguin Press
Date: Sep 7th, 2024
Silver examines the world of prediction, investigating a variety of fields including baseball, politics, and weather forecasting to explore why some predictions succeed and many others fail, emphasizing the importance of statistical and probabilistic thinking in increasing prediction accuracy.
Why Does College Cost So Much?
Author: Robert B. Archibald
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date: Nov 17th, 2010
This book investigates the reasons behind the soaring costs of higher education in the U.S., analyzing factors like technological change, labor intensity, and governmental support, and dispelling some common myths about the sources of rising tuition.
The Idealist: Jeffrey Sachs and the Quest to End Poverty
Author: Nina Munk
Publisher: Anchor
Date: Sep 10th, 2013
Munk provides a detailed, critical examination of economist Jeffrey Sachs's ambitious project to end global poverty through targeted investments in health, agriculture, and education in Africa, highlighting both the successes and significant challenges.
xkcd: volume 0
Author: Randall Munroe
Publisher: Breadpig
Date: Aug 24th, 2010
This collection features a selection of the early comics from the popular webcomic xkcd, known for its clever humor, clear love of science, and geeky themes.
The Sympathizer
Author: Viet Thanh Nguyen
Publisher: Grove Press
Date: Apr 7th, 2015
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows a conflicted spy of North Vietnamese descent during and after the Vietnam War, offering a profound exploration of identity, political conflict, and the experiences of Vietnamese immigrants.
Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis
Author: Jared Diamond
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Date: May 7th, 2019
Diamond examines how several countries have managed to overcome massive challenges like civil war, foreign threats, and general crisis by exploring their selective change, using psychological principles to analyze national responses and resilience.
These Truths: A History of the United States
Author: Jill Lepore
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Date: Sep 18th, 2018
Lepore offers a sweeping narrative of American history from 1492 to the present, weaving together political, technological, and cultural threads to explore the ideals and contradictions of the American experiment.
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
Author: Trevor Noah
Publisher: One World
Date: Nov 15th, 2016
In this memoir, Trevor Noah recounts his childhood and adolescence during apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa, focusing on his life as the mixed-race son of a black mother and a white father, which under apartheid was punishable by law.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
Author: Matthew Desmond
Publisher: Crown
Date: Mar 1st, 2016
Through the lens of eight families in Milwaukee, Desmond provides a groundbreaking ethnographic study of poverty and economic exploitation in American cities, revealing the impact of eviction on the lives of the urban poor and its role in perpetuating systemic inequality.
The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies?
Author: Jared Diamond
Publisher: Viking
Date: Dec 31st, 2012
Diamond draws lessons from the lifestyles and experiences of traditional societies—covering conflict resolution, childcare, elder care, and food habits—to offer insights into how modern societies might address similar challenges.
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War
Author: Ben Macintyre
Publisher: Crown
Date: Sep 18th, 2018
Macintyre tells the thrilling true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB officer who became one of the West's most valuable spies during the Cold War, and the dramatic efforts of the British MI6 to exfiltrate him from the Soviet Union when his cover is blown.
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World
Author: Melinda French Gates
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Date: Apr 23rd, 2019
Melinda Gates offers compelling insights into how empowering women can lead to transformative improvements across societies worldwide.
Leonardo da Vinci
Author: Walter Isaacson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: Oct 17th, 2017
Isaacson provides a detailed biography of Leonardo da Vinci, examining his extraordinary genius in art, science, and technology, driven by insatiable curiosity about the world and an unparalleled ability to observe and imagine.
The Myth of the Strong Leader: Political Leadership in the Modern Age
Author: Archie Brown
Publisher: Basic Books
Date: Apr 8th, 2014
Brown challenges the widespread belief that strong, decisive leaders are the most successful and beneficial, using detailed political analysis to argue that collaborative and flexible leadership often results in more sustainable and democratic governance.
Presidents of War: The Epic Story, from 1807 to Modern Times
Author: Michael Beschloss
Publisher: Crown
Date: Oct 9th, 2018
Beschloss provides a comprehensive historical analysis of American presidents who have led the nation through major wars, examining their leadership qualities, challenges, and the consequences of their wartime decisions.
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
Author: Hans Rosling
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Date: Apr 3rd, 2018
Rosling encourages a more fact-based world view by challenging common misconceptions and biases about global development, revealing data that shows how much the world has improved in terms of health, wealth, and education.
Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation
Author: Steven Johnson
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Date: Oct 5th, 2010
Johnson examines the environments that foster innovation, using a wide array of examples from technology, biology, and urban planning to identify the common factors that contribute to creativity and breakthroughs.
Turtles All the Way Down
Author: John Green
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Date: Oct 10th, 2017
This novel follows sixteen-year-old Aza Holmes as she grapples with mental illness while investigating the disappearance of a billionaire, exploring themes of friendship, identity, and the challenges of everyday life.
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened
Author: Allie Brosh
Publisher: Gallery Books
Date: Oct 29th, 2013
This graphic memoir, based on Brosh's popular webcomic, combines humor and poignancy to explore personal experiences, mental health, and the absurdity of life.
Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That's a Good Thing)
Author: Salman Khan
Publisher: Viking
Date: May 14th, 2024
Salman Khan, founder of Khan Academy, discusses the potential of artificial intelligence to transform educational systems worldwide by personalizing learning and making high-quality education more accessible and effective.
The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism
Author: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: Nov 5th, 2013
Goodwin details the close friendship and subsequent political rivalry between Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, set against the backdrop of the progressive era and the rise of investigative journalism.
The Power to Compete: An Economist and an Entrepreneur on Revitalizing Japan in the Global Economy
Author: Hiroshi Mikitani
Publisher: Wiley
Date: Nov 10th, 2014
This dialogue between father and son, one an economist and the other an entrepreneur, explores the challenges facing Japan's economy and proposes innovative solutions to revive its global competitiveness.
Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
Author: Steven Pinker
Publisher: Viking
Date: Feb 13th, 2018
Pinker argues that the ideals of the Enlightenment have led to progress in every aspect of human development and advocates for reason, science, and humanism as the foundational principles to further improve the human condition.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Author: Carol S. Dweck
Publisher: Random House
Date: Feb 28th, 2006
Carol Dweck's book explores the concept of "mindset," the idea that the way we think about our abilities and potential is crucial for success, advocating for a "growth mindset" over a "fixed mindset."
A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety
Author: Jimmy Carter
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: Jul 7th, 2015
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter reflects on his public and private life with a frankness and clarity, discussing his youth in rural Georgia, his presidency, and his years of humanitarian work, offering insights into the wisdom he has gained through his experiences.
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Publisher: Apple
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Seveneves: A Novel
Author: Neal Stephenson
Publisher: William Morrow
Date: May 19th, 2015
Stephenson's science fiction epic begins with the moon exploding and mankind facing extinction, detailing humanity's desperate efforts to ensure survival by sending an ark of survivors into space, leading to unforeseen consequences thousands of years later.
How To Lie With Statistics
Author: Darrell Huff
Publisher: WW Norton
Date: Sep 7th, 2024
This classic book exposes the many ways in which statistics can be used to deceive, providing examples and techniques to identify statistical manipulation, thereby fostering more critical reading of statistical data.
The Rise and Fall of American Growth: The U.S. Standard of Living since the Civil War
Author: Robert J. Gordon
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date: Jan 12th, 2016
This comprehensive analysis examines the unparalleled economic growth in America from 1870 to 1970 and explores why this rapid growth was a unique episode unlikely to be repeated, assessing the challenges facing the U.S. economy today.
Origin Story: A Big History of Everything
Author: David Christian
Publisher: Little, Brown Spark
Date: May 22nd, 2018
Christian offers a sweeping narrative that explains the history of the universe from the Big Bang to the present, integrating insights from various disciplines to show how everything is interconnected.
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Publisher: Apple
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Capital in the Twenty First Century
Author: Thomas Piketty
Publisher: Belknap Press: An Imprint of Harvard University Press
Date: Sep 7th, 2024
This influential book analyzes wealth concentration and distribution over the past 250 years and argues that the rate of capital return in developed countries is persistently greater than the rate of economic growth, leading to increasing inequality.
Nine Pints: A Journey Through the Money, Medicine, and Mysteries of Blood
Author: Rose George
Publisher: Metropolitan Books
Date: Oct 23rd, 2018
George delves into the vital, often surprising role blood plays in medicine, history, and business, exploring everything from revolutionary medical breakthroughs to the dark history of trade and exploitation.
Epic Measures: One Doctor. Seven Billion Patients.
Author: Jeremy N. Smith
Publisher: Harper Wave
Date: Apr 7th, 2015
Smith tells the story of Dr. Christopher Murray, who revolutionized global health data and policy by creating an unprecedented database that tracks the health outcomes and diseases of people worldwide, challenging old assumptions and shifting how resources are allocated in global health.
The Choice: Embrace the Possible
Author: Dr. Edith Eva Eger
Publisher: Scribner
Date: Sep 5th, 2017
A powerful memoir by Holocaust survivor Edith Eger, who shares her experiences in Auschwitz and her journey of survival and transformation, offering profound insights into the resilience of the human spirit and the freedom that comes with making the choice to heal.
Growth: From Microorganisms to Megacities
Author: Vaclav Smil
Publisher: The MIT Press
Date: Sep 24th, 2019
This book provides a comprehensive look at the concept of growth across biological, human, and technological systems, examining patterns from the smallest organisms to the development of megacities and global economic systems.
I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life
Author: Ed Yong
Publisher: Ecco
Date: Aug 9th, 2016
Yong delves into the world of the microbiome, revealing how microbes influence health, behavior, and the complexity of life on Earth, reshaping our understanding of biology.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Author: Yuval Noah Harari
Publisher: Harper
Date: Feb 10th, 2015
Yuval Noah Harari provides a compelling overview of the history of our species from the emergence of ancient human tribes to the present day, exploring how biology and history have defined us.
Should We Eat Meat?: Evolution and Consequences of Modern Carnivory
Author: Vaclav Smil
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Date: May 28th, 2013
Smil provides a comprehensive analysis of meat consumption across the globe, examining its history, the implications of meat production on health and the environment, and the ethical considerations of eating animals.
The Women: A Novel
Author: Kristin Hannah
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Date: Feb 6th, 2024
This novel by Kristin Hannah explores the lives and dynamics of several generations of women within a family, showcasing their struggles, strengths, and profound connections as they navigate various challenges through the decades.
Eradication: Ridding the World of Diseases Forever?
Author: Nancy Leys Stepan
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Date: Sep 29th, 2011
Stepan examines the historical and scientific pursuit of disease eradication, discussing the medical and ethical challenges of these programs, and questioning whether eradication is always a practical or humane policy.
The Road to Character
Author: David Brooks
Publisher: Random House
Date: Apr 14th, 2015
This book explores how some of the world's greatest thinkers and leaders have built strong inner character through the conquest of their own vices and the struggle against adversity, urging modern readers to focus more on developing virtues rather than personal success.
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History
Author: John M. Barry
Publisher: Viking Adult
Date: Feb 9th, 2004
Barry provides a gripping narrative of the 1918 flu pandemic that killed millions around the world, detailing its origins, its global impact, and the scientific struggle to contain and understand the virus.
Good Economics for Hard Times
Author: Abhijit V. Banerjee
Publisher: PublicAffairs
Date: Nov 12th, 2019
Nobel laureates Banerjee and Duflo tackle the most pressing economic questions of our time with clear and engaging evidence-based analysis, proposing informed and practical solutions to reduce inequality and spur sustainable growth.
Moonwalking With Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything
Author: Joshua Foer
Publisher: The Penguin Press
Date: Mar 3rd, 2011
Foer recounts his journey from journalist covering the U.S. Memory Championship to becoming a participant in the event, exploring the techniques of the contestants and the scientific foundations of human memory.
Poor Numbers: How We Are Misled by African Development Statistics and What to Do about It
Author: Morten Jerven
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Date: Jan 24th, 2013
Jerven critically examines the reliability of economic data in Sub-Saharan Africa, explaining how poor statistical methods have led to misguided policies, and proposes solutions to improve the accuracy and utility of economic statistics in the region.
Harvesting the Biosphere: What We Have Taken from Nature
Author: Vaclav Smil
Publisher: The MIT Press
Date: Dec 21st, 2012
Smil quantifies the human impact on the biosphere, examining how much biomass we extract from the earth each year through farming, forestry, and other activities, and discussing the sustainability of these practices in the face of growing consumption.
Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved
Author: Kate Bowler
Publisher: Random House
Date: Feb 6th, 2018
In this poignant memoir, Bowler reflects on her battle with stage IV cancer and challenges the belief that everything in life happens for a reason, sharing her journey to find hope and meaning in the face of uncertainty.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
Author: Michelle Alexander
Publisher: The New Press
Date: Jan 7th, 2020
Alexander argues that the War on Drugs has created a new racial underclass in America, as systemic racial discrimination in the criminal justice system has effectively disenfranchised millions of African Americans.
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
Author: Erik Larson
Publisher: Crown
Date: Feb 25th, 2020
Larson presents a detailed chronicle of Winston Churchill's first year as Prime Minister during WWII, focusing on his leadership, the personal struggles of his family, and the resilience of the British people during the Blitz.
Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True
Author: Richard Dawkins
Publisher: Bantam Press
Date: Sep 7th, 2024
Dawkins blends science with storytelling to explain how the world works, using vivid examples and thoughtful arguments to address myths and misconceptions about the universe.
The Fever: How Malaria Has Ruled Humankind for 500,000 Years
Author: Sonia Shah
Publisher: Sarah Crichton Books
Date: Jul 6th, 2010
Shah explores the complex history of malaria, its impact on human civilization, and the ongoing efforts to control and eradicate a disease that continues to affect millions of people worldwide.
Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society
Author: Nicholas A. Christakis MD PhD
Publisher: Little, Brown Spark
Date: Mar 26th, 2019
This book argues that despite the capacity for human brutality and selfishness, there is a stronger genetic blueprint for cooperation, compassion, and friendship, which Christakis explores through social and biological research.
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
Author: David Brooks
Publisher: Random House
Date: Oct 24th, 2023
David Brooks offers insights into building deeper, more meaningful relationships through empathetic engagement and understanding, providing readers with practical advice on how to truly connect with others.
On Immunity: An Inoculation
Author: Eula Biss
Publisher: Graywolf Press
Date: Sep 30th, 2014
Biss navigates the fears and facts surrounding vaccination, blending personal narrative and cultural history to explore the human immune system and the ethical and political implications of immunization.
Educated: A Memoir
Author: Tara Westover
Publisher: Random House
Date: Feb 20th, 2018
This memoir recounts Westover's struggle to educate herself beyond her isolated and survivalist upbringing in Idaho, showcasing her journey from home-schooling without formal education to earning a PhD from Cambridge University.
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
Author: Randall Munroe
Publisher: Dey Street Books
Date: Sep 2nd, 2014
Munroe uses his background in physics and his popular webcomic style to provide entertaining and scientifically accurate answers to bizarre and speculative questions from his readers.
The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Author: Nick Lane
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Date: Jul 20th, 2015
Lane explores the pivotal role of energy in the evolution of life on Earth, proposing that the energy flow through cells is a fundamental driving force behind the complexity of life and offering new insights into the origins of life and evolution.
The Bet: Paul Ehrlich, Julian Simon, and Our Gamble over Earth s Future
Author: Paul Sabin
Publisher: Yale University Press
Date: Sep 3rd, 2013
This book recounts the famous wager between biologist Paul Ehrlich, who predicted resource scarcity leading to societal collapse, and economist Julian Simon, who believed human ingenuity could overcome environmental limits, framing a larger debate about environmental policy and the future of our planet.
Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens
Author: Eddie Izzard
Publisher: Blue Rider Press
Date: Jun 13th, 2017
Izzard's memoir combines humor with reflection, detailing his multifaceted life as a comedian, actor, and marathon runner, while discussing his personal relationships, gender identity, and the pursuit of his dreams.
Business Adventures: Twelve Classic Tales from the World of Wall Street
Author: John Brooks
Publisher: Open Road Media
Date: Oct 7th, 2014
This collection of New Yorker essays by John Brooks provides insightful and engaging narratives about pivotal events and characters in American corporate history, making complex business situations accessible and entertaining.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Author: Yuval Noah Harari
Publisher: Random House
Date: Sep 4th, 2018
In this exploration of contemporary global issues, Harari addresses the technological, political, social, and existential challenges that humanity faces in the modern age, offering insight and advice on navigating the complexities of life in the 21st century.
A Gentleman in Moscow
Author: Amor Towles
Publisher: Viking
Date: Sep 6th, 2016
Amor Towles tells the story of Count Alexander Rostov, who is sentenced to house arrest in a luxury hotel across from the Kremlin, where he lives through decades of tumultuous Russian history.
When Breath Becomes Air
Author: Paul Kalanithi
Publisher: Random House Audio
Date: Jan 12th, 2016
This poignant memoir follows the life of neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, reflecting on his quest to understand the meaning of life when facing death.
Energy and Civilization: A History
Author: Vaclav Smil
Publisher: Mit Pr
Date: Sep 7th, 2024
Smil provides a comprehensive account of how energy transformations and consumption have shaped human history, from pre-agricultural times to the present industrial world, emphasizing the inextricable link between energy and the advancement of civilization.
Breath from Salt: A Deadly Genetic Disease, a New Era in Science, and the Patients and Families Who Changed Medicine Forever
Author: Bijal P. Trivedi
Publisher: BenBella Books
Date: Sep 8th, 2020
This book tells the poignant story of the revolutionary breakthroughs in treating cystic fibrosis and the incredible saga of the patients, families, and researchers who pushed boundaries in genetic medicine to find a treatment.