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Men Explain Things to Me
Rebecca Solnit

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Recommended by:
Emma Watson – English actress
Emma says: ‘This is essential reading on gender dynamics’

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

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 

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Factfulness
Hans Rosling

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Recommended by:
Bill Gates – American businessman and philanthropist • Co-founder of Microsoft
Bill says: ‘One of the most important books I’ve ever read – an indispensable guide to thinking clearly about the world’

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

Breakthrough Energy: Founded to invest in clean technologies and energy innovation to reach net-zero emissions

Book: Source Code: My Beginnings

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

The 48 Laws of Power
Robert Greene

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Recommended by:
Drake – Canadian rapper and singer
Drake says: The book is a huge influence on my strategy and on power dynamics

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

“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 

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

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

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Recommended by:
Beyoncé – American singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman
Beyoncé says: ‘I think female leadership and empowerment narratives are important’

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

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

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Women Who Run with the Wolves
Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Recommended by:
Billie Eilish – American singer-songwriter
Billie says: ‘This book was deeply influential for me to understand my femininity and inner identity’

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

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, Billie Eilish

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Recommended by:
Zendaya – American actress and singer
Zendaya says: ‘Essential reading for understanding systemic racism and the Black American experience’

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

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

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Meditations
Marcus Aurelius

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com

Recommended by:
Naval Ravikant – Indian-born American entrepreneur and investor • Co-founder and Chairman of AngelList
Naval says: ‘Stoic philosophy is a core mental model’

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

Available in the UK via Bookshop.org and Amazon.co.uk
Available in the US via Amazon.com