Gates Summer Reading List: Memoirs That Shaped Bill Gates Journey

Bill Gates has released his annual summer reading list. This time, the collection features memoirs from notable individuals that inspired Gates in writing his own memoir. Among the selected works are books by former Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, journalist Nicholas Kristof, author Tara Westover, comedian Trevor Noah, and musician Bono.

«I believe I’m always learning, but I really dive into serious study when starting a new project. In the early days of Microsoft, I read extensively about IT companies, and when I established the Gates Foundation, I researched the history of American philanthropy,» Gates shares.

He mentions that the process of creating his memoir, titled «How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,» which is set to release in early 2025, followed his usual approach.

«I reflected on the insights I could gain from the best memoirs I’ve read. Memoirs serve as a reminder that people have countless fascinating stories to share,» he notes.

“Personal History” by Katharine Graham

Gates recounts meeting Katharine Graham for the first time in July 1991. Graham is renowned for her nearly twenty-year tenure as publisher of The Washington Post, especially during the Watergate scandal. Her Pulitzer Prize-winning memoirs were published in 1997.

«I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Kay share her remarkable life story: how she led the Post at a time when there were very few women in leadership, how she stood up to President Nixon to protect reporting on Watergate and the Pentagon Papers, and how she negotiated to end a journalism strike. These thoughtful memoirs remind us that great leaders can emerge from unexpected places,» Gates reflects.

“Chasing Hope” by Nicholas Kristof

In 1997, Nicholas Kristof wrote an article that, according to Gates, changed his life. This was a piece in The New York Times addressing the issue of diarrhea, which claimed the lives of three million children annually in impoverished countries. Gates mentions that he was already considering philanthropy at that time, and this article helped clarify where he wanted to direct his donations.

«In these powerful memoirs, Nick writes about how he maintains hope for the world despite all he has witnessed. His book made me ponder: the world would be a better place with more people like Nick Kristof,» Gates adds.

“Educated” by Tara Westover

Westover grew up in the remote Idaho wilderness in a Mormon family that believed in the apocalypse and had minimal interaction with the outside world. Tara neither attended school nor received formal homeschooling, as she was expected to work from a young age. Ultimately, through self-education, she earned a PhD from Cambridge University.

«She severed all ties with her parents. This is an extreme version of a process many people go through. At some point, you shift from believing your parents know everything to realizing they are just limited adults. Tara captures this journey of self-discovery beautifully in her unforgettable memoirs,» Gates comments.

“Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah is of mixed race, born in South Africa during apartheid, when interracial relationships were illegal. His very existence was a crime under the country’s laws (which is reflected in the original title of his book). Much of his coming-of-age story in South Africa is tragic: his father left, his family lived in poverty, he was arrested, and his parents’ lives were marked by conflict. However, these stories are told in a way that often evokes laughter, notes Gates.

«I recommended this book back in 2017; even then, I recognized how these memoirs reflect the development of the future Daily Show host’s worldview throughout a life in which he never quite fit in. I also grew up feeling out of place at times, although Trevor has far more claim to that sentiment than I do.»

“Surrender” by Bono

Gates points out that he was fortunate to have parents who enthusiastically supported his interest in computers. In contrast, Bono’s parents had a very different view regarding his passion for singing.

«Bono reveals his vulnerability in these memoirs, describing his insatiable need to be needed, which he could never fulfill even by performing for vast crowds. This helped me to candidly address my own struggles in ‘How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,'» Gates writes.

At the beginning of December 2024, Bill Gates published his annual selection of books to read during the winter holidays. Last year, Gates chose titles focusing on technology, interpersonal relations, the history of the United States, and a bonus on tennis.