Curated Collections

A16Z founders, general partners, and senior operators were asked to share the under-recognized books that shaped how they think about building companies, markets and culture. This is the curated list. Happy Reading!

Power, liberty, media, revolt—how politics moves and how citizens respond.

From Data Rebels to Sci-Fi Prophets: A Celebration of Women Who Code, Calculate, and Create Worlds. This curated list celebrates visionary women who challenge the status quo. From scientists who reshaped our understanding of the universe to activists wielding data for justice and forgotten authors who prophesied our digital future, these books showcase how women have always been at the forefront of science, technology, and critical thought.

From Yale University Library's Reading Resilience Project, a comprehensive initiative launched in 2015 to amplify diverse voices and foster inclusive reading communities through curated recommendations of works by and about people of color. This community-driven collection features user-generated suggestions, aiming at promoting cultural understanding and belonging across the community.

The best way to learn about design is to do it, but this curated selection offers books that help contextualize what the d.school does. Drawn from works written by d.school or Stanford faculty, these titles are intended to deepen readers’ understanding of design mindsets and applications. Selective rather than exhaustive, it is presented as the “staff favorites” section one might find in a local bookstore — a starting point for exploring the world of design.

Cut the noise. Set boundaries, fix energy leaks, and do the right work at the right time.

The UC Berkeley Summer Reading List is a decades‑long tradition, now in its 40th year, showcasing books recommended by Berkeley faculty, staff, and students. This year’s theme, generosity, brings together books that explore acts of kindness, magnanimity, and moments that can alter lives or communities. Selected works invite readers to reflect on how generosity shapes our decisions, relationships, and future, offering insights that resonate far beyond campus.

From UC Berkeley's vibrant reading community — books that explore "(Re)Writing the Rules" and challenging conventional wisdom. Recommended by Cal students, faculty, and staff, this collection represents some of the most thought-provoking reads suggested by the Berkeley community for those ready to question and reimagine.

Some of the best tour guides aren't people. They're books. This collection plots a course through New York's diverse neighborhoods, from the Upper West Side to streets far beyond. Sourced from the Columbia University community, these titles delve into the rich fabric of the city, revealing the character and history written on every block. Consider this your map to the hidden stories of NYC.

What holds a community together? Dive into this reading list, handpicked by the brilliant minds at UC Berkeley to explore that very question. Centered on the theme "Illuminating Communities," these stories are your ticket to discovering the threads that connect us all. Find your next unforgettable read right here!

Sourced from the UC Berkeley, this collection features engaging books and a film chosen by the Cal community for their profound exploration of "Defining Moments." These titles delve into the significant moments that shape us, offering powerful narratives about individuals, societies, and the world at large. We invite you to discover a story that might become a defining moment for you.

The Three Books program introduces incoming Stanford students to thought‑provoking themes and authors before they arrive on campus. Each year, a faculty member selects three works designed to spark conversation and reflection, serving as a shared intellectual experience for the new class. This archive presents past selections, ranging from explorations of biodiversity and environmental science to discussions of perspective, empathy, and hope — a tradition that connects students to ideas and to one another from the very start of their Stanford journey.