Bill Gates recommends his favorite books of 2020

Many traditions have fallen away during this very unusual year, but here’s one that’s staying with us: Bill Gates’ annual book list.

The Microsoft co-founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation acknowledged on his blog, Gates Notes, that “there’s no doubt that 2020 qualifies as tough times,” and that reading — both weighty books on serious subjects and lighter books for distraction — helped him get through.

Here are five books that Gates highly recommends, to help finish a hard year on a good note. Full reviews of each can be found on his blog.