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Emma Watson – Men Explain Things to Me – Rebecca Solnit

This is essential reading on gender dynamics

English actress

• UN Women Goodwill Ambassador: Appointed in 2014, she has worked to empower young women and advocate for gender equality worldwide
• Book: Emma Watson: Actress, Women’s Rights Activist, and Goodwill Ambassador – Tanya Dellaccio 
• Latest project: As of early 2026, Emma Watson is stepping away from traditional acting to focus on academia, studying for a DPhil (PhD) in Creative Writing at Oxford University. She is also actively managing her sustainable gin brand, Renais, with her brother, directing and appearing in Prada Beauty campaigns, and returning to film in an undisclosed indie project as both lead and producer

Bill Gates – Factfulness – Hans Rosling

One of the most important books I’ve ever read – an indispensable guide to thinking clearly about the world

American businessman and philanthropist • Co-founder of Microsoft

• Breakthrough Energy: Founded to invest in clean technologies and energy innovation to reach net-zero emissions
• Book: Source Code: My Beginnings
• Latest project: Bill Gates is currently focused on accelerating climate innovation through TerraPower, which recently received approval to build its first advanced nuclear reactor in Wyoming. Through Breakthrough Energy, he is investing in decarbonization technologies—including carbon-free butter and grid modernization—and funding research into solar geoengineering (SCoPEx) to combat global warming
  

Drake – The 48 Laws of Power – Robert Greene

The book is a huge influence on my strategy and on power dynamics

Canadian rapper and singer

• “God’s Plan” Music Video ($1M Giveaway): Instead of a traditional music video budget, Drake donated the entire  budget to various individuals and organizations in Miami, including buying groceries, providing college tuition, and supporting a women’s shelter
• Book: Far From Over: The Music and Life of Drake, The Unofficial Story – Dalton Higgins 
• Latest project: Iceman (Drake album) Iceman is the upcoming ninth studio album by Canadian rapper and singer-songwriter Drake, expected to be released by OVO Sound and Republic Records on May 15, 2026. Confirmed producers on the album include Drake’s frequent collaborators Tay Keith and Oz, among others

Beyoncé – What Will It Take to Make a Woman President? – Marianne Schnall

I think female leadership and empowerment narratives are important

American singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman

• BeyGOOD Foundation Initiatives
  • Small Business Support: Through the Black Parade Route, she has donated over  million to over 900 small Black-owned businesses.
  • Educational Scholarships: BeyGOOD supports students through the Homecoming Scholars Award Program, focusing on HBCUs.
  • Disaster Relief: She has provided aid for Hurricane Harvey, COVID-19 relief, and the Flint water crisis.
  • Housing Assistance: She provided a $1 million donation to the LA Fire Relief Fund and helped 100 Houston families facing eviction
• Book: Matriarch –Tina Knowles
• Latest project: Beyoncé’s latest major project is Cowboy Carter (Act II), released on March 29, 2024, a critically acclaimed country-inspired album spotlighting Black pioneers in music. Following the 2022 album Renaissance (Act I), this is part of a planned trilogy. Speculation is high for a rock-focused Act III expected in 2026, following recent visual hints

Billie Eilish – Women Who Run with the Wolves – Clarissa Pinkola Estés

This book was deeply influential for me to understand my femininity and inner identity

American singer-songwriter

• Eco-Action Villages: She partners with REVERB to set up “Eco-Action Villages” at every stop of her tours, allowing fans to connect with local environmental nonprofits, register to vote, and participate in climate action, according to reverb.org.
• Book: Billie Eilish
• Latest project: BillieEilish’s latest project is Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D), a concert film co-directed with James Cameron, releasing in cinemas on May 8, 2026. The film documents her 2024–2025 world tour in support of her album Hit Me Hard and Soft, featuring immersive 3D technology

Zendaya – Between the World and Me – Ta-Nehisi Coates

Essential reading for understanding systemic racism and the Black American experience.

American actress and singer

• Support for the Brothers Trust: Zendaya frequently supports the charity founded by Tom Holland’s parents, which works to raise funds for overlooked, smaller charities. She has participated in “Posh Pub Quiz” charity events, signed merchandise for fundraising, and attended fan screenings, such as for Uncharted, to boost these efforts
• Book: Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years With Style and Confidence – Zendaya Coleman and Sheryl Berk
• Latest project: Zendaya is dominating 2026 with a packed slate, headlined by the romantic drama The Drama (released April 3, 2026) alongside Robert Pattinson, and the anticipated return of Euphoria Season 3. She is also starring in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Dune: Part Three

Naval Ravikant – Meditations – Marcus Aurelius

Stoic philosophy is a core mental model

Indian-born American entrepreneur and investor • Co-founder and Chairman of AngelList

Latest project: As of early 2026, Naval Ravikant’s latest major project is the launch of Impossible (also referred to as the Impossible Computer Company), a San Francisco-based startup focused on Artificial Intelligence, which he unveiled in late 2025. Described as a “very difficult project” aimed at building, rather than just investing. It is a startup with a small, specialized team focused on AI, which he calls “artists and engineers

Renowned philosopher-investor: promotes principles focused on building long-term wealth, achieving happiness through mindset, and leveraging technology for freedom. His core philosophy emphasizes authenticity, compound interest in all aspects of life, and personal accountability https://nav.al/

Book: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A comprehensive book curated by Eric Jorgenson that compiles his wisdom