Bill Gates loves a good book.

He also believes in the power of reading to shape people and the way that they view the world.

That’s why, every year, he releases various lists of recommended reading, the most recent of which is designed for the American summer when most people are going on vacation.

Don’t stress – they will work just as well for the South African winter.

The theme behind this particular reading list is ‘upheaval’, reports TIME.

The billionaire philanthropist wants readers to learn more about upheaval and its impact on society, both on individual and mass levels. From the way presidents have led during some of the nation’s biggest wars to how people react during times of crises, these books look at what happens when our lives are disrupted.

Here’s a breakdown of his the five books that made the cut:

Upheaval, Jared Diamond

Gates is a huge fan of Diamond’s books.

In Upheaval, Diamond examines how people react to the different crises in their lives. Specifically, Diamond looks at how six countries responded to big challenges, and learned how to adapt in the face of adversity. “It sounds a bit depressing,” Gates writes. “But I finished the book even more optimistic about our ability to solve problems than I started.”

He cites Diamond’s 1997 book Guns, Germs, and Steel as one of the best books he’s ever read.

Nine Pints, Rose George

This book looks into the dialogue surrounding menstruation, so everyone should read it.

Writer Rose George shares her own story with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and sheds a light on what it is like to live with the condition. Even though this may not be a “typical light summer book,” Gates thinks everyone should know more about this topic. “After all,” he writes, “there is nothing that more people have in common than blood.”

Can’t argue with that.

A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles

If you enjoy books about Russia, you’ll love this.

It’s 1922 and Count Alexander Rostov has just been sentenced to spend the rest of his life under house arrest in a Moscow hotel. Even though A Gentleman in Moscow is sure to please anyone who is interested in learning more about Russia, Gates writes that “you don’t have to be a Russophile to enjoy the book.” Towles goes beyond just politics in his best-seller. “The book is technically fiction,” Gates writes. “But you’d be just as accurate calling it a thriller or a love story.”

Will definitely add that one to the personal reading list.

Presidents of War, Michael Beschloss

Historian Michael Beschloss studies how presidents dealt with nine different US conflicts, from the War of 1812 to the Vietnam War.

Beschloss highlights how these presidents served during these tumultuous times, and makes critical connections about their decisions and power as leaders. Gates appreciated being able to draw lessons from the book Beschloss released last year, Presidents of War, and apply them to our present moment.

“It is hard to read about today’s conflicts without thinking about how they might connect to the past and what impact they might have on the future,” Gates writes.

Given what’s happening between America and Iran, it seems like pertinent reading.

The Future of Capitalism, Paul Collier

Marxism tells us that capitalism has taken on an uncontrollable form.

Where is capitalism heading? Oxford economist Paul Collier analyzes this question in his book, which looks at how some people benefit from capitalism, while others do not. Though Gates writes that he’s not on the same page with Collier about everything, The Future of Capitalism stuck with him.

“I was especially struck by the central idea of his book, that we need to strengthen the reciprocal obligations we have to each other,” Gates writes.

Finally, if the write-ups didn’t convince you to give them a go, here’s Gates with some fancy graphics:

[source:time]