Bill Gates once said, “Whether I’m at the office, at home, or on the road, I always have a stack of books I’m looking forward to reading.”
Are you those who don’t have enough time to read books? Have you stopped reading just because you are busy during the day? So did you know that Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, reads one book a week on average? Even though he is always swamped that his schedule goes out of control most of the time, he always does his best and tries to carve out a specific time to read his books. That’s how he has shown that being busy is not a good excuse to stop reading books.
Bill Gates once wrote on his blog – Gatesnotes
Reading books is my favourite way to learn about a new topic.
The books he reads mainly include nonfiction, and just several of them are novels. Five books have been individually recommended by Bill Gates. Are you ready to learn about that fantastic books? So let’s buck up for the ride to dive into discovering more about them.
Book 1: “My Years with General Motors” by Alfred Sloan
Alfred Sloan used to be the CEO of General Motors at first. This book which was published in 1963, instantly became a bestseller. It could suit people who want to understand the global corporate world that we live in today.
As it’s the story of one of the world’s influencing companies, especially in the automobile industry, it’s perfect as a manual for managers to practice creative business management.
Many readers feel it as a true business classic. It’s a great read for people who seek deep insights in area of planning, strategy, finance, leadership, innovation and management.
Book 2: “Better Angels of Our Nature” by Steven Pinker
Nowadays, we are living in the most peaceful moment in our existence period. Steven Pinker, the New York Times bestselling author, beautifully indicates that despite the ceaseless news about crime, terrorism, and war, this kind of violence is declining over time.
Bill Gates believes that this is the best book he has read in the last decade that has a deep look at reducing discrimination and violence as his point of view.
Read this huge volume derived from author Pinker’s well-structured work; rich with statistics, charts, and details. He identifies four better angels: Empathy, self-control, morality and reason.
Book 3: “Business Adventures: Twelve Classic Tales from the World of Wall Street” by John Brooks
Bill Gates said in Wall Street Journal that this is the best business book he has ever read. This book is written as an excellent reminder that the rules for creating value and running a solid business haven’t changed.
The book demonstrates that even if you have a perfect marketing pitch and production plan, you still need the people to implement and lead that plans.
Enjoy reading 12 events, one per chapter that are intelligently and thoughtfully crafted by the author John Brooks.
Book 4: Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
Bill Gates had read this book when he was just a teenager. The Catcher in the Rye is actually a novel that was in serial from 1945 – 1946. It was specially written for adults.
It details two days of the 16-year-old boy who searches for the rails and truth against phoniness.
There is certainly a mixed feeling from readers about this book. Many believe it to be a classic novel written for adults while modern age readers review and rate it with harsh single star.
Book 5: A Separate Peace by John Knowles
This book is a coming-of-age novel that recalls the maturing of a 16-year-old boy with psychological insight.
A Separate Peace which is the first work of John Knowles is well-known as his best work. The book explores patriotism, loss of innocence, and morality.
Although this book is respectable, it is not that popular.
Book 6: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
It was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in the year 1925. The novel is about the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, who is a millionaire. And a young woman called Daisy Buchanan, who Gatsby loved in his youth.
While Bill Gates was reviewing this book, he said he and Melinda really liked it.”When we were first dating, she had a green light that she would turn on when her office was empty and it made sense for me to come over.” Bill Gates said.
Book 7: Life Is What You Make It by Peter Buffett
American musician Peter Buffet wrote this astonishing love story novel about a woman who has been cursed by her mother. This love book which was in the top books of 2021, demonstrates how determination could overcome everything, even destiny.
Bill gates mentioned this book as one of the most thoughtful and touching books he has ever read. Like the Great Gatsby, this book is also recommended by both Melinda and Bill gates.
Book 8: SuperFreakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance by Steven D. Levitt
People who have read this book believe that this book can completely change our point of view and our way of thinking. Bill gates has also explicitly mentioned this book well written, entertaining, and full of insights and surprises.
This book is a treasure chest of information for anyone interested in human psychology and economics. The author behind the book worked brilliantly.
Book 9: That Used to be Us by Thomas Friedman
This book was published on September 5, 2011, in the US. Thomas Friedman explains the four major issues that America faces nowadays and possible solutions. The problems are defined as the revolution in IT, globalisation, the nation’s pattern of energy consumption, and its chronic deficits.
Bill gates says that he is an optimist who always tries to look for ways to make everything better. He mostly agrees with the book’s message, which answers America’s economic challenges that would be found in its past.
Book 10: For the Love of Physics by Walter Lewin
Bill Gates highly recommends this book by Walter Lewin of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In this accessible and engaging book, Walter Lewin indicates the joy of learning that our world is a knowable place. The author’s passion for physics appears everywhere through the pages of this colorful tour of science.
Book 11: The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language by Steven Pinker
This book is not just recommended by Bill Gates. Still, other successful people like Charlie Munger have suggested it to everyone.
The author of this book uses multiple examples that are easy to understand to guide us through the language as a mysterious world.
Book 12: The Ten Commandments for Business Failure by Donald R. Keough
This book which is highly recommended by Bill Gates, reveals how some great enterprises get into trouble. Bill gates said that this book by Donald Keough was really inspiring to him.
The author tries to show that even the most intelligent executives may fall into the trap of infallibility.
Bill Gates once said that he reads about 50 books a year. So now that we are familiar with these valuable books, why not trying them?
