5 Book Recommendations by Bill Gates to Enhance Thinking and Curiosity

According to the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), quoting CNBC, Bill Gates, the billionaire and book enthusiast, has published a new list of his recommended books for the 2025 holiday season. According to him, cold weather and holidays are an opportune time for readers to delve into new books and dedicate more time to reading amidst the tranquility of the holidays.

In a post published on his blog on Tuesday, Gates wrote: “There’s something about the quiet days of the holidays that makes it easier to curl up with a good book.”

Gates’ list includes books from various authors and genres; from a book that explores the concept of ‘common knowledge’ from the perspective of a Harvard psychologist to a fictional novel about a night worker in an aquarium who befriends an aging octopus. The list also includes the memoirs of a media billionaire, a book about the climate crisis, and a political book that analyzes the challenges facing innovation and government regulations in the United States.

Explaining the books, Gates said: “Each of these books shows you how something important really works: how people find purpose in the later stages of their lives, how we should look at climate change, how creative industries evolve, how humans connect with each other, and how America has lost the ability to undertake big projects and how it can regain it.”

Below, we introduce Gates’ five recommended books:

1. “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt

This novel, partly narrated from the perspective of an octopus, possesses the key characteristics of a successful fictional work in Gates’ view: “I want to read books with interesting characters that help me see the world from a new angle.”

Gates also referred to the book’s main character, a 70-year-old woman named Tova. This woman works as a cleaner at an aquarium at night, and eventually, a friendship forms between her and an octopus named Marcellus. Gates considers this book to be an impactful examination of human relationships and the challenges of aging and loneliness.

2. “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” by Hannah Ritchie

Hannah Ritchie, a data scientist from Oxford University, has written a book that Gates considers “one of the clearest explanations of the climate challenges.” This book examines 50 key questions regarding the climate crisis, including whether renewable energies are too expensive or if it’s too late to curb climate change.

Gates writes: “If you’re looking for a realistic, data-driven overview of the state of climate solutions, this book is an excellent choice.”

3. “How to Know” by Barry Diller

Barry Diller, billionaire and chairman of IAC and Expedia, has published his memoirs in this book. Gates, who considers Diller an old friend, called the book amazing and insightful, writing that even as someone well-acquainted with Diller, the book taught him new and interesting things about his professional and personal life.

4. “When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows” by Steven Pinker

Steven Pinker, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, analyzes the concept of ‘common knowledge’ in his new book and explains how this concept influences social interactions and human communication. Gates considers this book essential for those who want to better understand how humans communicate with each other and how they can cooperate more effectively.

5. “Abundance” by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson

The book “Abundance” takes a sharp look at the problems that cause the United States to face challenges in various areas such as infrastructure, housing, and scientific innovation. This book addresses regulatory and bureaucratic challenges and offers solutions to accelerate progress in large projects and resolve existing issues.