Bill Gates has made a tradition of releasing lists and reviews of his favorite books, but his holiday installment this year is a little different. His five picks aren’t his favorite books of the year, but rather five of his all-time favorites — many of which he has recommended to family and friends over the years.
Another new twist: Gates arranged to have all five books placed in 100 Little Free Libraries around the world, as dramatized in this video released along with the debut of the list Monday morning.
Here are the five books, along with a link to Gates’ review of each.
- Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein, Gates’ all-time favorite science fiction book.
- Surrender by Bono, the newest book on the list. “His loyalty to his bandmates, to his family, is really pretty incredible,” Gates says.
- Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, which “has a lot of insights about Lincoln that leaders can learn from today,” he writes.
- The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey, which is ultimately about much more than tennis. “It makes you realize that the way your conscious mind thinks about things can get in your way,” Gates explains.
- Mendeleyev’s Dream by Paul Strathern, the “best book about the periodic table,” in Gates’ estimation.
If anyone reading this happens to find the books in a Little Free Library anywhere around the world, please send a picture and details to todd@geekwire.com.