On the eve of summer holidays, Bill Gates, as always, shares a list of books that he plans to read. This year's selection has a common theme: service to others.

“When I'm putting together a list of recommendations, it's really interesting to look back and see if there's a thread in it. This time it definitely is. All the books and TV shows on my summer list touch on the idea of serving others: why we do it, what can make it difficult, and why we should do it anyway,” Gates shares.

What does he recommend reading?

«Women» by Kristin Hannah. A touching novel about a nurse who served in two Vietnam wars and how she returns home to a country engulfed in anti-war protests. Gates calls the book a «beautifully written tribute» to veterans whose contributions are often underappreciated.

«Contagious Generosity» by Chris Anderson. TED Talks author Chris Anderson offers a plan for making generosity the norm—for individuals, governments, and businesses. It does not limit itself to the topic of giving, but calls for a broader view of generosity. The book will be a great help for those who want to make the world a better place, but don't know where to start.

«Bold New Words» by Sal Khan. Sal Khan believes artificial intelligence will revolutionize education for the better by improving student achievement, making teachers' jobs easier, and making world-class education accessible to everyone. Khan understands why previous innovations have failed to significantly improve the education system, but he is convinced that with AI things will be different.

《How to Know a Person》 by David Brooks. A continuation of the book “The Path to Character,” which has already gained recognition from Gates. This time, Brooks develops an interesting idea: communication and interaction skills are not just innate qualities, they can be learned and developed. The author gives practical advice on “listening out loud,” an art that will help your interlocutors feel heard and valued.