This summer reading list from Bill Gates is exactly what you need - Debut

This summer reading list from Bill Gates is exactly what you need - Debut Heres what the Microsoft founder recommended Resigned your summer away to playing Football Manager and binge-watching Netflix? STOP. Youre rotting your brain away and disappointing your parents. Okay, thats a bit harsh but you can do better. Why not set yourself a summer reading list to smarten yourself up for September? Even better why not use this one from billionaire philanthropist and Americas post-Obama reader-in-chief Bill Gates. I mean if youre gonna take anyones advice, it might as well be the guy who invented MS Paint. Heres what the Microsoft founder recommended Born a Crime , by Trevor Noah So as it turns out, Trevor Noah is not only one of the funniest people on the planet, hes also one of the most interesting. The comedian and host of The Daily Show  wrote this enthralling autobiographical account of his experience growing up as the child of a white man and a black woman in brutal Apartheid South Africa. Bill says: As a longtime fan of  The Daily Show, I loved reading this memoir about how its host honed his outsider approach to comedy over a lifetime of never quite fitting in. The Heart, by Maylis de Kerangal, translated by Sam Taylor Probably the most beautiful example of writing on this list. Taking place in 24 hours,  The Heart was originally written in French and centers around a heart transplant operation. It features many doctors and nurses as characters, so med students take note. Bill says: What de Kerangal has done here in this exploration of grief is closer to poetry than anything else. The sentences are rich and full.    I went to the dictionary a dozen times to look up words I didn’t know. Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance Another great memoir. This time it describes Vances journey from living in abject poverty in Ohio and Kentucky to attended Yale as a Law student. Started from the bottom, etc. Bill says: While the book offers insights into some of the complex cultural and family issues behind poverty, the real magic lies in the story itself and Vance’s bravery in telling it. Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, by Yuval Noah Harari No matter you feel about it, humans have radically altered how life works on Earth.  Homo Deus, the sequel to  Sapiens which looked at life to this point, discusses whether its possible for humanity to go anywhere further and if so, where. Bill says:  Its a deeply engaging book with lots of stimulating ideas and not a lot of jargon. It makes you think about the future, which is another way of saying it makes you think about the present. The Better Angels of Our Nature, by Steven Pinker Not officially part of this years summer reading list, but one that Bill gave its own standalone recommendation. Pinkers unique look at the subsiding of violence in humanity in the 21st century inspired Bill and helped inform his own view on philanthropy. Historians, scientists and philosophers  this ones for you. Bill says: If I could give each of you a graduation present, it would be thisthe most inspiring book Ive ever read Connect with Debut on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more careers insights.