13 books Bill Gates recommends reading this summer to get you through the pandemic

Bill Gates with his summer reading picks.Gates Ventures

• Bill Gates recommends five books every summer.
• This year, he added eight additional books to his reading list to distract or enlighten people during the pandemic.
• Gates's favorite titles include a nonfiction book about the 1918 influenza pandemic and a few comic books.
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When Bill Gates isn't working with pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs and vaccines for the coronavirus, he's an avid reader.

"Most of my conversations and meetings these days are about COVID-19 and how we can stem the tide," the billionaire wrote on his blog, Gates Notes. "But I'm also often asked about what I am reading and watching — either because people want to learn more about pandemics, or because they are looking for a distraction."

Gates's summer reading list for 2020 offers both distractions and important lessons for coping with crisis.

In addition to his typical five summer book recommendations, the Microsoft founder recommended eight additional titles this year — including a few comic books.