David Brooks' new book teaches us how—and why—to make every word count.

What does a virtuous life look like? David Brooks suggests an intriguing idea.

Jeff Hawkins’s book explores a new theory about human intelligence.

According to this book, some environments foster more innovation than others.

Diane Tavenner’s book offers amazing tips on preparing kids for college, a career, and life.

Melinda and I loved Tara Westover’s journey from the mountains of Idaho to the halls of Cambridge.

How for-profit colleges and universities expand opportunities—and where they fall short.

Liberating Learning discusses the overlap between two issues I care about a lot.

The Song of the Cell proves that Siddhartha Mukherjee is one of the best science writers working today.

A talented writer and doctor guides us through the past, present, and future of genome science.

Everything you ever wanted to know about the stuff in your veins.

Four stories that explain how your body fights off disease.

Towles’s novel is technically historical fiction, but you’d be just as accurate calling it a thriller or a love story.

I thought this thrilling story about a double agent lived up to the hype.

Hannah Ritchie’s Not the End of the World is an essential antidote to environmental doomsday-ism.

Elizabeth Kolbert on man-made extinctions.

Looking at the impact human activities are having on the web of plants, animals, and other life forms that compose the Earth’s biosphere, and what it means for our future.

Elizabeth Kolbert’s insightful look at the intersection of people and nature.

Meeting the world’s energy needs requires an honest assessment.

David MacKay’s brilliant book is a primer on how we make energy and its impact on the climate.

A new masterpiece from one of my favorite authors.

Numbers Don’t Lie is Vaclav Smil’s most accessible book yet.

Factfulness is one of the most educational books I’ve ever read.

They’re not behind us.

Jerven provides an analysis of African economic development statistics.

A great source of data-driven wisdom about development aid.

An illuminating look at the role of Secretary-General of the United Nations.

What we can learn from Jeffrey Sachs’s ambitious project in Africa.

The brilliant agricultural scientist who helped save a billion people from starvation.

Gordon Conway provides a roadmap for eliminating hunger in the world.

Jim Grant's determination and influence saved millions of children's lives.

My friend Dr. Chris Murray wants to treat everyone. And I mean everyone…

Breath from Salt gave me new perspective on a disease I’ve been following for two decades.

The polio epidemics of the past were terrible and unsettling times.

In House on Fire, Bill Foege tells the amazing story of smallpox eradication.

John M. Barry’s 2004 book The Great Influenza has never been more relevant.

Mendeleyev’s Dream helps you understand how the periodic table got pieced together and why it’s so helpful.

I loved reading this science book for young adults.

Randall Munroe’s twisted comic takes on science and technology.

Walter Lewin’s For the Love of Physics helps you understand stars, phones, GPS, and more.

An eye-opening history of the United States.

An American Marriage is a moving look at how incarceration changes relationships.

Her powerful call for gender equality.

Hillbilly Elegy gave me new insights into poverty in America.

Yuval Noah Harari has written another thought-provoking book.

A provocative new book raises big questions about the future.

Capitalism Without Capital explains how things we can’t touch are reshaping the economy.

A renowned economist’s thought-provoking new book.

It’s not what you know, it’s what you can accomplish.

Unlike most books on leadership, this one is worth your time.

When the Microsoft CEO asked me to write the foreword for his new book Hit Refresh, I was happy to say yes.

Business Adventures is old, hard to find, and the best business book ever.

A profound book about tennis and much more.

I loved this book on tennis as much for the writing as its insights into my favorite sport.

Andy Puddicombe has written a great guide to focusing your thoughts.

Even if you don’t read many inspirational books, I recommend Awakening Joy.

Lincoln in the Bardo gave me a new perspective on America’s 16th president.

Michael Beschloss’s latest book gave me insights about leadership.

How Teddy Roosevelt and William Taft changed America.

A quick retelling of the former president’s fascinating story.

A wise and funny memoir from a young woman facing her own mortality.

Eger’s life story gives her fascinating insight into how people move on after trauma.

And his memoir is terrific—as long as you’ve seen his act.

The deeply moving When Breath Becomes Air.

Born in Blackness challenges Western accounts of the continent.

In The Spy and the Traitor, a Soviet double agent helps prevent a nuclear war—and nearly dies for it.

A vivid depiction of the daily challenges millions face in urban slums.

Walter Isaacson’s terrific new biography sheds light on every facet of the artist’s life.

Kristin Hannah’s wildly popular novel about an army nurse is eye-opening and inspiring.

I loved the latest from the author of A Gentleman in Moscow.

Readers of all ages will enjoy John Green’s latest novel, Turtles All the Way Down.

I never thought I’d relate to a book about gaming, but I loved Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.

Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future.

Klara and the Sun made me think about what life with super intelligent machines might look like.

As a teenager, I discovered the novels that Robert Heinlein wrote for adults.

The novel that rekindled my love for sci-fi.