Books recommended by billionaires often offer more than just advice; they provide a rare window into the thinking that builds empires like Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple. Ever found yourself wondering what inspires leaders like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, or Steve Jobs to keep pushing boundaries? For many of them, reading is the secret weapon — a source of fresh ideas, bold perspectives, and a lifelong commitment to growth.
From tech moguls to investing legends, there is a common thread that ties them all together: reading. Bezos credits books for shaping Amazon’s long-term vision. Gates shares annual reading lists packed with insights on progress and problem-solving. Jobs found creative fuel in everything from Zen philosophy to design thinking.
This curated list brings together the very books that have guided their journeys. Whether you’re looking to think bigger, lead smarter, or simply grow, this is where the journey begins.
1. Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio
This book tops the list of most recommended books by billionaires. In this book, Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates, shares how he built his empire. So many successful people and billionaires like Dustin Moskovitz (co-founder of Facebook and Asana) have recommended this book, which gives rules not just for businesses but on how to live life.
My father used it as a guide, not just to make better decisions but also to cultivate a growth mindset. This book helped him immensely both professionally and personally. Why did he love Principles so much? Because it broke down complex challenges into actionable solutions. He could lead, think, and solve problems better after reading this book.
One quote particularly stayed with him:
“Look for people who have lots of great questions. Smart people are the ones who ask the most thoughtful questions, as opposed to thinking they have all the answers. Great questions are a much better indicator of future success than great answers.” ― Ray Dalio (Founder of Bridgewater Associates)
This book is also a reminder that failing means you are pushing your limits. And when you’re pushing your limits, you’re maximising your potential.
2. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
This is one of the most recommended books by billionaires and has been frequently cited by our favorite tech entrepreneurs. In fact, Mark Zuckerberg (co-founder of Facebook and Meta) included Sapiens in his 2015 Facebook Book Club, praising its narrative on human development and historical perspective. Even Bill Gates (co-founder of Microsoft and leading philanthropist) has repeatedly recommended it, listing it as one of his summer reads and among his all-time favorites.
In this book, Harari talks about the ‘Cognitive Revolution’; what sets humans apart is our ability to collaborate and innovate in unprecedented ways. That is exactly why we created shared myths like religion, money, and nations. Sapiens also talks about how we must always be curious and willing to relearn because the ability to constantly evolve is what ensures growth.
Here’s one impactful quote that hit me hard:
“A meaningful life can be extremely satisfying even in the midst of hardship, whereas a meaningless life is a terrible ordeal no matter how comfortable it is.” ― Yuval Noah Harari (Renowned historian/philosopher with estimated net worth of $5 million)
This standout among billionaire reads explores the full arc of human history, including the Agricultural and Scientific Revolutions. It explores how humans were able to rethink their relationship with technology and nature as time moved forward.
3. Think Like a Champion: An Informal Education In Business and Life by Donald Trump
Next in the list of best books written by billionaires is this collection of essays written by Trump. He shares his personal experiences both as a politician and as a businessman. If you’re looking for lessons on success, perseverance, and leadership given to you in a direct (sometimes brash) tone, this is it.
He talks about how champions don’t get distracted by noise and stay locked in on their goals. He also emphasises learning from setbacks since every failure holds a lesson and resilience/reflection are more valuable than perfection.
Here’s one quote that particularly stayed with me:
“The worst things in history have happened when people stop thinking for themselves and listen to other people and, even worse, start following other people. That’s what gives rise to dictators.” ― Donald Trump (President of the U.S)
This book contains more than just his business adventures; it challenges growth-minded individuals to push beyond limitations and continually expand their vision.
4. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
If you’ve ever wondered what billionaires do when facing rejection, financial uncertainty, or repeated failure, this memoir by Nike’s co-founder Phil Knight answers exactly that. Shoe Dog is one of the most compelling books about wealth and success, offering a brutally honest, behind-the-scenes look at how Nike was built from the ground up.
This is not a book that rich people read for straightforward business formulas and strategies. This is a raw, real, and deeply personal story of grit and self-doubt. Knight takes you through his early struggles, international hustles to fund inventory, and the emotional toll of staying true to his vision against all odds.
A quote that saved me from pessimism was:
“When you see only problems, you’re not seeing clearly.” ― Phil Knight (Nike’s Co-Founder)
Knight, a self-made millionaire, transformed a $50 startup into a powerhouse by breaking rules and having faith. He beautifully describes this in his book.
5. The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz
Recommended by billionaires, including Larry Page (co-founder of Google and Alphabet), it’s one of those rare business books that make you smarter because it doesn’t sugarcoat the entrepreneurial journey.
Ben Horowitz talks about his journey in a very raw and honest manner in this book. Curious about whether he survived the dot-com crash? What did he do when his company went nearly bankrupt? He answers all these questions.
Here’s an interesting quote from the book by Silicon Valley’s most respected entrepreneur:
“Take care of the people, the products, and the profits—in that order.” ― Ben Horowitz (co-founded the venture capital firm, Andreessen Horowitz)
So, if your motivational posters aren’t working, you must turn to this book (especially before firing someone or while surviving a downturn).
RELATED READING: 10 Books Written By Billionaires You Must Read To Change Your Life
6. The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen
Recommended by billionaires, including Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon), this book is not an average billionaire read. If you’re an entrepreneur/executive striving to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world, this book will give you some real perspective.
Christensen talks about how companies fail not because they do everything wrong but because they do everything right. He explores the idea of ‘Disruptive Innovation’, how companies can miss out on future success by clinging to their current business models and customer base.
Here’s one powerful quote that captures the spirit of the book:
“Disruptive technologies typically enable new markets to emerge.” — Clayton M. Christensen (Renowned Scholar, Harvard Business School Professor)
So, in your summer reading list, don’t miss out on this one, especially if you’re building something long-term! It will change how you evaluate risk, opportunity, and competition.
7. High Output Management by Andy Grove
Widely considered one of the best business books to read, High Output Management has been recommended by numerous top-tier executives and billionaires, including Mark Zuckerberg (co-founder of Facebook and Meta).
My boss was telling me that this book changed her life. It taught her how to manage high-performance teams. She even learnt how to make decisions under high-pressure situations from this practical manual by Grove, the legendary man often called the “Father of Silicon Valley”.
Here’s a timeless quote from the book:
“Let chaos reign, then rein in chaos.” — Andy Grove (Former CEO of Intel)
For anyone serious about improving team performance, productivity, and leadership under pressure, this is one of those books recommended by billionaires that truly delivers lasting impact.
8. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
Famously listed as one of Warren Buffet’s favorite books, this book talks about how to be successful not just in investing but in business and life too. Buffet (Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway), often gives this classic credit for his wealth-building approach.
Graham, widely known as the “Father of Value Investing”, mentored Buffet at Columbia Business School. In The Intelligent Investor, he talks about patience, discipline and rational-decision making, making it a must-read for anyone who wants to create sustainable wealth, smartly.
A standout quote from the book:
“The intelligent investor is a realist who sells to optimists and buys from pessimists.” — Benjamin Graham (Economist, Investor, and Professor of Warren Buffet)
It’s one of those timeless books that rich people read; not for quick tips, but for the kind of enduring wisdom that shapes billionaire strategies.
9. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Recommended by Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla and SpaceX), Atlas Shrugged is more than just a novel; it’s a philosophy manual disguised as fiction. Musk’s views on individualism, innovation, and entrepreneurs’ roles in society have all been fundamentally shaped by this book.
This 1,000+ page book paints the picture of a society where innovators, scientists, and entrepreneurs start disappearing. The message? When creators stop creating, society collapses.
A standout quote from the book:
“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” — Ayn Rand (Russian-American Novelist and Philosopher best known for her development of ‘Objectivism’)
If you’re focused on building, leading, and thinking like a billionaire, this book challenges you to question conformity and double down on your vision.
10. Blitzscaling by Reid Hoffman & Chris Yeh
Recommended by Brian Chesky (co-founder and CEO of Airbnb), Blitzscaling is the perfect read for you, especially if you want to build a company at lightning speed. It talks about Airbnb’s journey from being a scrappy startup to a global brand.
Penned by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, this book talks about how companies like Amazon, Google, and Facebook scale aggressively in uncertain conditions by prioritizing speed over efficiency to win massive markets.
A standout quote from the book:
“If you’re not embarrassed by your first product release, you’ve released too late.” — Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn Co-Founder)
It’s one of those books that made billionaires because it focuses not just on growth, but on how to lead through chaos, ambiguity, and hyper-growth.
Finally, these books recommended by billionaires aren’t just casual bedtime reads. They are designed to spark vision and push you to think beyond the ordinary. So, it’s time to get inspiration from the reading habits of the world’s most successful people. Books are their secret weapons for continuous learning, fresh ideas, and a sharp growth mindset. And they can be yours too! The journey to success often begins with the wisdom found in these pages—so dive in, absorb, and let your next big idea take flight!
