Gates wrote that there were times when he wanted to dwelve deeper into social issues like Black Lives Matter protests. On a plane? Who is your most trusted book recommender? I have another novel on my summer books list this year, The Heart by a French author, Maylis de Kerangal. In conversation with him, it's striking how frequently he cites things he's read. 8. Gates posted his 2020 recommended holiday reading list on his GatesNote blog on Tuesday. “Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.” — Bill Gates. I read a book a week for more than two years now and continue to look for ways to improve my reading. The five books on my end-of-year list will help you start 2020 on a good note. Please attempt to sign up again. Log in. Bill Gates is a voracious reader. She really makes you care about the characters – the young man whose heart is being transplanted into another patient, their families, and all the emotions that situation creates. One person I’m sorry I never got to meet is the physicist Richard Feynman. I have a bad habit of staying up really late if I’m in the middle of a book that I love. Instead, his rule indicates to decide what you read before you start. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. I reviewed it for my blog, Gates Notes, because I wanted other people to read it, love it, and hopefully learn from it the way I did. It changed the way I think about the world. THE BLOG OF BILL GATES. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know now on politics, health and more, © 2020 TIME USA, LLC. Recently, I listened to Bill Gates sharing his free, yet priceless lessons on how he reads books. I don’t think I’ve ever done that. 'Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates' on Netflix looks at the early life and modern-day philanthropy of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Click through via the link above, and click on the specific book. “This year, sometimes I chose to go deeper on a difficult subject, like the injustices that underlie this year’s Black Lives Matter protests. This line is one of our favorites: “His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. 6. Now that I’ve read Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep, I realize that my all-nighters, combined with almost never getting eight hours of sleep, took a big toll. 4. Bill Gates at … I used to read a lot of science fiction when I was younger, and then I got out of the habit until I read Seveneves by Neal Stephenson. A lot of the reading I do is so I can keep learning about the world. This is my personal blog, where I share about the people I meet, the books I'm reading, and what I'm learning. I keep thinking I should go digital sometime, but I still like to read the old-fashioned way since I write a lot of notes in the margins. It’s still the best business book I’ve ever read. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about Bill Gates. The five-book list tackles a variety of subjects, from racial justice to Cold War espionage. 5 good books for a lousy year . You can unsubscribe at any time. It’s incredibly well-written and made me tear up at times. “It’s especially good at explaining the history and the numbers behind mass incarceration. Jared Diamond. The biggest problem I have is that I refuse to stop reading a book in the middle, even if I don’t like it. “In tough times — and there’s no doubt that 2020 qualifies as tough times — those of us who love to read turn to all kinds of different books,” Gates wrote, adding that while he spent some of his 2020 reading time actively delving into “difficult subject[s],” he also found time to escape into reads that offered “a change of pace, something lighter at the end of the day.” Bill doesn’t say you should complete a lousy book. “Its scope is too narrow to be the only book you ever read on World War II, but it’s a great addition to the literature focused on that tragic period.”, The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War, by Ben Macintyre. To mark the upcoming release of his new book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster , here are some of the best. Five books Bill Gates recommends you read this holiday season From 'The New Jim Crow' to 'The Spy and the Traitor', here is Bill Gates' recommended reading list as we wrap up 2020. “In this fascinating book, he argues that although the world seems to demand more and more specialization—in your career, for example—what we actually need is more people ‘who start broad and embrace diverse experiences and perspectives while they progress’. Bill Gates released his annual holiday book list on Tuesday, with recommendations of books he read throughout the year. Join the Gates Notes community to get regular updates from Bill on key topics like global health and climate change, to access exclusive content, comment on stories, participate in giveaways, and more. My kids are old enough now that their taste in books sometimes crosses over with mine. He shares his anticipated annual selections on Gates Notes, where he … The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander. By Minda Zetlin, Co-author, The Geek Gap @MindaZetlin. My son is really into history and policy and has suggested lots of great books that I might have missed. An avid learn-it-all, Bill Gates is well known for his voracious reading. May 22, 2017 1:00 PM EDT Samuel P. Jacobs is digital director and executive editor at TIME. Bill Gates: We need a team of 3,000 infectious disease experts to fight the next pandemic. The essay titled “Xerox Xerox Xerox Xerox” should win an award for most clever chapter name, and the lessons inside the book are even better. “The fear and anxiety they felt—while much more severe than what we’re experiencing with COVID-19—sounded familiar. The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz, by Erik Larson. Warren Buffett loaned me his copy of Business Adventures by John Brooks many years ago. Write to Samuel P. Jacobs at sam.jacobs@time.com. I hope that you'll join the conversation. “I think his ideas even help explain some of Microsoft’s success, because we hired people who had real breadth within their field and across domains. Bill Gates loves reading. 1: Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by. I read the whole set of World Book encyclopedias when I was a kid. Through various foundations he funds poverty reduction efforts, and research into healthcare and clean energy. “Like many white people, I’ve tried to deepen my understanding of systemic racism in recent months,” said Gates. This nonfiction account focuses on Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB officer who became a double agent for the British, and Aldrich Ames, the American turncoat who likely betrayed him. Back to Pinker’s Better Angels. If you could have a conversation with any author in the world, dead or living, who would it be? 1. I took inspiration from it while running Microsoft. It’s been a year of cancellations, but Bill Gates is keeping one tradition alive. Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk, Mark Cuban and Jack Ma are all voracious readers. All Rights Reserved. “I started following Epstein’s work after watching his fantastic 2014 TED talk on sports performance. “Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.” — Bill Gates “Macintyre’s retelling of their stories comes not only from Western sources (including Gordievsky himself) but also from the Russian perspective. “I finished the book more convinced than ever that we need a more just approach to sentencing and more investment in communities of colour.”, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, by David Epstein. In a year like this, sometimes you want to go deep on a tough issue. Eric Yuan Is TIME's 2020 Businessperson of the Year, A Year Later, Asia Fights to Contain COVID-19. I’m lucky that I get to have conversations with a lot of authors whose work I love. By Minda Zetlin, Co-author, The Geek Gap @MindaZetlin. Comments section policy: Any attacks on BusinessTech, its journalists, or other readers will result in a ban. You don’t really start getting old until you stop learning. “This story is especially meaningful to me because I know families who’ve benefited from the new medicines described in this book. Self-made billionaire Bill Gates says that textbooks, which have long been a staple in traditional classrooms, offer "a pretty limited way to learn something." This reading list perfectly reflects his life’s work and interests. Log out . You can find videos of some of those conversations on Gates Notes. Save on the cover price & free e-Gift card for Giftees! Whether you’re looking for a distraction or just spending a lot more time at home, you can’t beat reading a book. MORE: Bill Gates: Your Summer Reading List Should Include These 5 Books. I read Stephen Pinker’s The Better Angels of Our Nature a few years ago and got to talk to him about it after, which was a lot of fun. It’s probably my favorite book and the one I recommend most often. Absolutely. “Sometimes history books end up feeling more relevant than their authors could have imagined. Bill Gates shares his summer book recommendations: Origin Story: A Big History of Everything, by David Christian, Factfulness, by Hans Rosling with Ola Rosling and Anna Rosling Ronnlund, Leonardo da Vinci, by Walter Isaacson, Lincoln in the Bardo, by George Saunders, and Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved, by Kate Bowler. He argues that violence in human society is decreasing at a rapid rate, and our tolerance of violence is decreasing even faster. An avid learn-it-all, Bill Gates is well known for his voracious reading. Show your poster to your classmates in the next lesson. Consider whether a book is worth your time before you open it. Bill Gates talks with CNN's Jake Tapper about the US response to the coronavirus pandemic. Samuel P. Jacobs is digital director and executive editor at TIME. When Bill Gates ran Microsoft, he took a week, two times a year to go to a secret cabin in the woods and read proposals for innovation from all members of … I always take a big canvas tote-bag of books when I go on vacation. If you’re a generalist who has ever felt overshadowed by your specialist colleagues, this book is for you. Reading fuels a sense of curiosity about the world, which I think helped drive me forward in my career and in the work that I do now with my foundation. To mark the upcoming release of his new book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, here are some of the best. Bill Gates recommends books on his blog. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. That’s the case with this brilliant account of the years 1940 and 1941, when English citizens spent almost every night huddled in basements and Tube stations as Germany tried to bomb them into submission. He had a brilliant mind and was a phenomenal teacher. 4. It’s every bit as exciting as my favourite spy novels,” said Gates. Please try again later. In some cases, he provides a personal review. Bill Gates, who reads an average of about one book per week, says reading is his favorite way to learn about a new topic, according to one of his blog posts. “Alexander’s book offers an eye-opening look into how the criminal justice system unfairly targets communities of colour, and especially Black communities. It documents a story of remarkable scientific innovation and how it has improved the lives of almost all cystic fibrosis patients and their families. 5 books to enjoy this winter. Might as well read some good books. Why do you incorporate fiction into your mostly nonfiction diet? “Other times I needed a change of pace, something lighter at the end of the day. 39 quotes from Bill Gates: 'I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. I was familiar with some of the data, but Alexander really helps put it in context. Here are his 20 most recent recommendations, and why you should add them to your reading list. What book do you most often recommend? December 8, 2020 11:00 AM EST T his year, Bill Gates’ recommended reading list covers a wide range of subjects. “I suspect we’ll see many more books like this in the coming years, as biomedical miracles emerge from labs at an ever-greater pace.”, Read: Why your December braai will be more expensive. 4.03 avg rating — 308,326 ratings. THE LESSON ON BILL GATES. In a new interview with TIME, Bill Gates discusses his new list of recommended summer reading, his voracious appetite for the written word and the books that have influenced his life and mind. Cory Stieg @corystieg. 5. “Larson gives you a vivid sense of what life was like for average citizens during this awful period, and he does a great job profiling some of the British leaders who saw them through the crisis, including Winston Churchill and his close advisers. “This book is truly uplifting. Bill Gates provides a bookshelf at his official site. Melinda and I both love the book, and it’s the novel that I reread the most. Entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and book-lovers alike will enjoy his picks. Published Tue, Dec 15 2020 11:46 AM EST. My elementary school librarian, Mrs. Blanche Caffiere at Seattle’s View Ridge Elementary School, introduced me to biographies of famous figures throughout history. Fox News personalities came after Bill Gates on Tuesday for comments he made during a pandemic-focused interview with CNN's Jake Tapper over the weekend. The detailed world that he created just blew me away. On Tuesday, the billionaire handed down his annual book recommendations, naming his top five reads of 2020. E-book? and What Do You Care What Other People Think?, are wonderful for anyone who loves science or entertaining stories about playing bongos and cracking safes. Bill Gates Announces Summer 2020 Reading List You're staying home. Every year, Bill Gates releases his summer and winter reading lists of the best books. Might as well read some good books. Did you all find out similar things? Bill Gates released his annual holiday book list on Tuesday, with recommendations of books he read throughout the year. It’s hard to pick a favorite, since books (especially nonfiction) were a big part of my childhood. In a blog post detailing the books, Gates said that he turned to books from a variety of different genres to help get him through a difficult year. Agencies 2020 qualifies as tough times, as Bill Gates says in his blog post, there's no better time to read a book than now. Include an imaginary interview with him. Bill Gates Announces Summer 2020 Reading List You're staying home. As a result, I read a wide range of books, and a lot of excellent ones.”. ', 'If you can't make it good, at least make it look good. His two memoirs, Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! I always trust Melinda’s recommendations, even if they seem like unlikely choices for me at the start. He is one of the founders of Microsoft (read: a dedicated nerd and a savvy businessman), one of the wealthiest people on the planet, and, together with his wife, a known philanthropist. 3. This shouldn’t come as a surprise—it is Bill Gates’s book recommendations, after all. Breath from Salt: A Deadly Genetic Disease, a New Era in Science, and the Patients and Families Who Changed Medicine, by Bijal P. Trivedi. All Votes Add Books To This List. And how? Other times you need a break. Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, ... BILL GATES POSTER: Make a poster showing the different stages of the life of Bill Gates. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it. Have you ever pretended to read a book that you haven’t read? And most of the science holds up! Bill Gates: Your Summer Reading List Should Include These 5 Books, Bill Gates Discusses His Lifelong Love for Books and Reading. Bill Gates’ recommended reading list The Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist has been recommending books for years on his blog, Gates Notes. Obviously, people can’t ignore things like war and terrorism and violence, but we can be hopeful and inspired to keep making progress. It’s a collection of Brooks’s New Yorker essays about why various companies succeeded or failed. I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me to read. https://en.islcollective.com/video-lessons/bill-gates-on-reading-books That means I sometimes spend more time reading a book that I can’t stand than a book that I love. Where do you read? Microsoft made Bill Gates a household name but it’s his work beyond tech that keeps him in the headlines. ', and 'Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.' And the more I dislike a book, the more time I take to write margin notes. Bill Gates’ recommended reading list The Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist has been recommending books for years on his blog, Gates Notes. The Rosie Project is a great example of that. But I love the way good fiction can take you out of your own thoughts and into someone else’s. Do you think reading has been essential to your success, and is it to others’? Every book teaches me something new or helps me see things differently. What’s your favorite book from childhood? 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By signing up you are agreeing to our, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Are TIME's 2020 Person of the Year. Microsoft founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has published a list of five of his favourite books on his reading list in 2020. Bill Gates recommends these five books: “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander, “Range” by David Epstein, “The Splendid and the Vile” by Erik Larson, “The Spy and the Traitor” by Ben Macintyre, and “Breath from Salt” by Bijal P. Trivedi. Microsoft founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has published a list of five of his favourite books on his reading list in 2020. His examples run from Roger Federer to Charles Darwin to Cold War-era experts on Soviet affairs, said Gates. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, which like a lot of people I first read as a teenager, is special to me in a different way. Sign up. The idea at the center of his book—that the world is getting better in lots of ways—is part of the motivation for the work Melinda and I do with our foundation. The book was recommended to me by my daughter Jenn and John Doerr.