Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates recently shared his summer reading and watching recommendations on his Gates Notes blog. Among the top picks are books and a TV show that focus on the theme of service to others. Gates, who co-founded Microsoft in the 1970s and has since built a massive fortune, believes in the importance of giving back and highlights works that explore the reasons behind it.
One of Gates’ top recommendations is “The Women” by Kristin Hannah, a novel that tells the story of a U.S. Army nurse in Vietnam. Gates praised the book as a beautifully written tribute to veterans who made incredible sacrifices. The author, Kristin Hannah, gained newfound fame thanks to a devoted following on TikTok. “The Women” quickly became a bestseller, selling over 661,000 print copies in its first three months.
In addition to “The Women,” Gates also recommends three nonfiction books that delve into different aspects of service and interpersonal relationships. “Brave New Worlds” by Sal Khan explores how artificial intelligence can impact the lives of students and teachers. “How to Know a Person” by David Brooks offers advice on improving social skills, while “Infections Giving” by Chris Anderson provides a blueprint for maximizing the impact of everyday acts of generosity.
For those looking for a TV show to watch, Gates suggests tuning into “Slow Horses,” a British spy thriller on Apple TV+. The series follows a dysfunctional group of MI5 spies and stars Gary Oldman. Gates believes the show offers an entertaining and engaging storyline that viewers will enjoy.
Gates has a tradition of sharing book and show recommendations twice a year, at the start of summer and near the end of the year. In the past, he has recommended a variety of books and shows that reflect his interests in technology, philanthropy, and global issues. Gates’ wealth, estimated at $131.2 billion, has allowed him to donate tens of billions of dollars through his foundation, the Gates Foundation, and to co-found The Giving Pledge, a movement that encourages the wealthy to give back.
For those interested in exploring more of Gates’ recommendations, his full list of summer reads and watches can be found on the Gates Notes blog. By sharing his favorite books and shows, Gates hopes to inspire others to learn, grow, and give back to their communities.
