Vinod Khosla

Vinod Khosla

Venture Capitalist & Founder of Khosla Ventures

Vinod Khosla is a legendary venture capitalist and co-founder of Sun Microsystems who has invested in transformative companies across energy, healthcare, and AI.

CEOs

Vinod Khosla co-founded Sun Microsystems in 1982 and served as its first CEO before becoming one of Silicon Valley's most influential venture investors. He founded Khosla Ventures in 2004, focusing on breakthrough technologies in sustainable energy, computing, and life sciences. His investment philosophy emphasizes bold, contrarian thinking and long-term impact over short-term returns.

55 Books Recommended by Vinod Khosla

Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site

How to Change Your Mind book cover
#2

How to Change Your Mind

by Michael Pollan

15 people recommended

A fun exploration of psychedelic drugs, especially for someone who has never tried them.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Naval Ravikant, Stewart Butterfield, Amelia Boone, Aubrey Marcus, David Frum, Yuval Noah Harari, Hamilton Morris, Kara Swisher, Michael Mauboussin, Nick Offerman, Olivia Wilde, Paul Stamets, Peter Attia, Tim Ferriss

Atomic Habits book cover
#3

Atomic Habits

by James Clear

12 people recommendedrecommended 2x

A decent book on self-help tools, not a category I am generally a fan of.

A decent book on self-help tools, not a category I am generally a fan of.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Ben Greenfield, Biz Stone, Ali Abdaal, Anthony Pompliano, Blake Randall, Jodie Cook, Justin Kan, Tim Urban, Rohan Bhargava, Derek Sivers

Skin in the Game book cover
#4

Skin in the Game

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

11 people recommended

I like his ideas a lot, especially in Antifragile and the first half of this book. I've always complained about pundits relative to doers.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Naval Ravikant, Changpeng Zhao, Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz, Chris Dixon, Keith Rabois, Peter Mallouk, Ryan Shea, Derek Sivers

Antifragile book cover
#5

Antifragile

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

11 people recommended

I recommend everybody read [this book] if they're setting off on a career as a personal philosophy.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Naval Ravikant, Changpeng Zhao, Ev Williams, Tobi Lutke, Vlad Tenev, James Altucher, Patrick Oshaughnessy, Shane Parrish, Tom Bilyeu, Derek Sivers

The Checklist Manifesto book cover
#6

The Checklist Manifesto

by Atul Gawande

10 people recommended

Very good; definitely worth reading.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Jack Dorsey, Charles Poliquin, Keith Rabois, Malcolm Gladwell, Michael Mccullough, Ramit Sethi, Tim Ferriss, Derek Sivers

Homo Deus book cover
#7

Homo Deus

by Yuval Noah Harari

9 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Not that I agree with all of it, but it is still mind-bending speculation about our future.

Not that I agree with all of it, but it is still mind-bending speculation about our future.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Naval Ravikant, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Mark Manson, Penn Jillette, Raoul Pal, Tai Lopez, Derek Sivers

Only the Paranoid Survive book cover
#8

Only the Paranoid Survive

by Andrew S. Grove

9 people recommended

One of favorite books on entrepreneurship.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Balaji Srinivasan, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Jamie Dimon, Marc Andreessen, Balaji S. Srinivasan, Ben Horowitz, Charlie Munger

πŸ“–
#9

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

by Richard Bach

9 people recommended

One of my favorite books when I was a teenager! I still keep it around the house and periodically look at it.

Also recommended by: Osho, Ev Williams, Ed Latimore, Fred Wilson, Laird Hamilton, Mike Maples Jr, Peter Attia, Wim Hof

Blitzscaling book cover
#10

Blitzscaling

by Reid Hoffman

8 people recommendedrecommended 2x

An insightful book on how to scale at a very fast pace​ and more importantly WHEN.

An insightful book on how to scale at a very fast pace​ and more importantly WHEN.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Brian Chesky, Changpeng Zhao, Eric Schmidt, Sam Altman, Sheryl Sandberg, Anthony Pompliano

πŸ“–
#11

by

8 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Dives into the new problem on college campuses, Safetyism.

Dives into the new problem on college campuses, Safetyism.

Also recommended by: Bryan Johnson, Derren Brown, Glenn Beck, Max Levchin, Michael Mauboussin, Richard Dawkins, Tom Bilyeu

πŸ“–
#12

by

8 people recommended

Among the best books! A way of living, working & commitment to excellence.

Also recommended by: Jack Dorsey, Ron Conway, Sam Altman, Justin Kan, Keith Rabois, Noah Kagan, Ryan Holiday

Range book cover
#13

Range

by David J. Epstein

7 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Discovers that in most fields , generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel. [...] Every high school and college student should read it.

Discovers that in most fields , generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel. [...] Every high school and college student should read it.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Changpeng Zhao, Daniel Pink, Keith Rabois, Michael Mauboussin, Ryan Holiday

21 Lessons for the 21st Century book cover
#14

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

by Yuval Noah Harari

7 people recommendedrecommended 2x

An important examination into today’s most pressing political, technological, social, and existential issues as we move into the unchartered territory of the future.

An important examination into today’s most pressing political, technological, social, and existential issues as we move into the unchartered territory of the future.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Jack Dorsey, Fareed Zakaria, Joe Rogan, Ranveer Allahbadia, Derek Sivers

Why We Sleep book cover
#15

Why We Sleep

by Matthew Walker

7 people recommended

Best book on the subject [of sleep].

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Alexis Ohanian, Bryan Johnson, Jason Fried, Keith Rabois, Michael Mauboussin

Lying book cover
#16

Lying

by Karen M. McManus

6 people recommendedrecommended 2x

One of my favorite one hour reads about intellectual honesty. I wish more people were this honest!

One of my favorite one hour reads about intellectual honesty. I wish more people were this honest!

Also recommended by: Elon Musk, Brian Armstrong, Aj Jacobs, Tim Ferriss, Derek Sivers

πŸ“–
#17

by

6 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Among the best insights into our brain and behavior.

Among the best insights into our brain and behavior.

Also recommended by: Marc Andreessen, Bryan Johnson, Keith Rabois, Michael Mauboussin, Sam Harris

πŸ“–
#18

by

6 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Reveals incredible scientific breakthroughs about aging and ways we can slow down, or even reverse, the process.

Reveals incredible scientific breakthroughs about aging and ways we can slow down, or even reverse, the process.

Also recommended by: Blake Scholl, David Friedberg, Jason Fried, Peter Diamandis, Ryan Shea

Deep Learning book cover
#19

Deep Learning

by Ian Goodfellow

6 people recommendedrecommended 2x

For a slightly more technical read [on AI].

For a slightly more technical read [on AI].

Also recommended by: Elon Musk, Balaji Srinivasan, Balaji S. Srinivasan, Nassim Taleb, Satya Nadella

πŸ“–
#20

by

5 people recommendedrecommended 2x

The physics behind biology, cities, economics and companies.

The physics behind biology, cities, economics and companies.

Also recommended by: Marc Benioff, Bill Miller, Nassim Taleb, Stewart Brand

πŸ“–
#21

by

5 people recommendedrecommended 2x

A key to understanding why Silicon Valley culture is changing the world.

A key to understanding why Silicon Valley culture is changing the world.

Also recommended by: Brian Armstrong, Changpeng Zhao, Daniel Kahneman, Keith Rabois

πŸ“–
#22

by

5 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Shows the value of having principles an organization and its leaders believe in and can stick with when it gets hard to do so and real tradeoffs are involved.

Shows the value of having principles an organization and its leaders believe in and can stick with when it gets hard to do so and real tradeoffs are involved.

Also recommended by: Marc Andreessen, Brad Feld, Brianne Kimmel, Marty Cagan

πŸ“–
#23

by

5 people recommendedrecommended 2x

While today’s rich and powerful are fighting for equality and justice, [this book] argues that it is being done in a way that will preserve their position at the top of society.

While today’s rich and powerful are fighting for equality and justice, [this book] argues that it is being done in a way that will preserve their position at the top of society.

Also recommended by: Alexis Ohanian, Jason Calacanis, Kat Cole, Tristan Harris

πŸ“–
#24

by

3 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Long but worth every page.

Long but worth every page.

Also recommended by: Ray Dalio, Esther Dyson

πŸ“–
#25

by

3 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Tells the story of the world I have always lived, loved and believed in, despite the recent techlash.

Tells the story of the world I have always lived, loved and believed in, despite the recent techlash.

Also recommended by: Austen Allred, Keith Rabois

The Last Days of Night book cover
#26

The Last Days of Night

by Graham Moore

3 people recommendedrecommended 2x

I don’t read fiction, but this almost historical fiction is fun especially for Silicon Valley types.

I don’t read fiction, but this almost historical fiction is fun especially for Silicon Valley types.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Mark Zuckerberg, Chris Dixon

An Elegant Defense book cover
#27

An Elegant Defense

by Matt Richtel

3 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Explains for the lay reader the intricate biology of our immune system.

Explains for the lay reader the intricate biology of our immune system.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Keith Rabois

πŸ“–
#28

by

3 people recommendedrecommended 2x

A look at the economics and the marketing strategies that enable the modern art market to generate such astronomical prices.

A look at the economics and the marketing strategies that enable the modern art market to generate such astronomical prices.

Also recommended by: Brianne Kimmel, Trung Phan

πŸ“–
#29

by

3 people recommended

I like the author but wish there were more causality/details.

Also recommended by: Reid Hoffman, Keith Rabois

The Success Equation book cover
#30

The Success Equation

by Michael Mauboussin

3 people recommended

Important investing, business, sports.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gurley, Keith Rabois

πŸ“–
#31

by

3 people recommended

I recommend to every entrepreneur, investor, & CEO - and anyone else who deals with difficult negotiations.

Also recommended by: Bill Gurley, Patrick Oshaughnessy

πŸ“–
#32

by

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Not surprising but explicit description of the American psych on sugar and fat by the sugar industry. I would not have believed this much influence is possible.

Not surprising but explicit description of the American psych on sugar and fat by the sugar industry. I would not have believed this much influence is possible.

Also recommended by: Joe Rogan

The Future of Capitalism book cover
#33

The Future of Capitalism

by Paul Collier

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Outlines ethical ways of healing the deep new rifts that are tearing apart the fabric of the United States and other Western societies.

Outlines ethical ways of healing the deep new rifts that are tearing apart the fabric of the United States and other Western societies.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gates

πŸ“–
#34

by

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

This book transforms how our success-obsessed society approaches their professional careers and long-term goals.

This book transforms how our success-obsessed society approaches their professional careers and long-term goals.

Also recommended by: Nassim Taleb

πŸ“–
#35

by

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

A look into the future and how global warming will impact everything.

A look into the future and how global warming will impact everything.

Also recommended by: Tim Urban

πŸ“–
#36

by

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Fun read about our biases and how our brain functions.

Fun read about our biases and how our brain functions.

Also recommended by: Patrick Oshaughnessy

πŸ“–
#37

by

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Easy access to meditation.

Easy access to meditation.

Also recommended by: Shane Parrish

πŸ“–
#38

by

2 people recommended

Fascinating though older book.

Also recommended by: Justin Boreta

πŸ“–
#39

by

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Guides readers through the scientific research transforming immunotherapy.

Guides readers through the scientific research transforming immunotherapy.

Also recommended by: Keith Rabois

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism book cover
#40

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism

by Shoshana Zuboff

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Dives into the largest act of capitalist colonisation ever attempted - the colonisation of our minds, our behaviour, our free will, our very selves.

Dives into the largest act of capitalist colonisation ever attempted - the colonisation of our minds, our behaviour, our free will, our very selves.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Barack Obama

πŸ“–
#41

by

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Great, very quick overview of astrophysics.

Great, very quick overview of astrophysics.

Also recommended by: Richard Dawkins

The Master Algorithm book cover
#42

The Master Algorithm

by Pedro Domingos

2 people recommended

If you want speculation about what the master AI might need (one view).

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Mark Cuban

πŸ“–
#43

by

2 people recommended

Rigorously written (unlike many pysch books), fun, funny,surprising, enlightening.

Also recommended by: Nassim Taleb

πŸ“–
#44

by

recommended 2x

Each chapter illustrates one of life’s puzzles and makes you think differently about the world.

Each chapter illustrates one of life’s puzzles and makes you think differently about the world.

πŸ“–
#45

by

recommended 2x

A very well done book on branding and new brand values. It will be the death of many incumbents.

A very well done book on branding and new brand values. It will be the death of many incumbents.

πŸ“–
#46

by

recommended 2x

Brand building for entrepreneurs trying to upset the incumbents.

Brand building for entrepreneurs trying to upset the incumbents.

πŸ“–
#47

by

recommended 2x

Reveals the new breakthrough on the link between depression and inflammation of the body and brain.

Reveals the new breakthrough on the link between depression and inflammation of the body and brain.

πŸ“–
#48

by

recommended 2x

A powerful, urgent essay into why American withdrawal would be the worst possible response.

A powerful, urgent essay into why American withdrawal would be the worst possible response.

πŸ“–
#49

by

recommended 2x

Fun though older book.

Fun though older book.

πŸ“–
#50

by

recommended 2x

A good case against too much empathy.

A good case against too much empathy.

πŸ“–
#51

by

recommended 2x

Provides a solid framework as to why things begin to deteriorate, and how society can successfully find their way back to a secure and stable plane.

Provides a solid framework as to why things begin to deteriorate, and how society can successfully find their way back to a secure and stable plane.

πŸ“–
#52

by

recommended 2x

Reveals the violence, injustice, and painful absurdities that black men and women contend with every day in this country.

Reveals the violence, injustice, and painful absurdities that black men and women contend with every day in this country.

πŸ“–
#53

by

recommended 2x

Not very far from the truth on the financial services industry though the authors biases come through.

Not very far from the truth on the financial services industry though the authors biases come through.

πŸ“–
#54

by

recommended 2x

Provides a different world view for those of us protected from some 'reality'.

Provides a different world view for those of us protected from some 'reality'.

πŸ“–
#55

by

Based on [the author's] class at HBS, War & Peace & lessons on leadership, negotiation, strategy & the human condition.