What If?

by Randall Munroe · 2014

Randall Munroe's science-and-humor answers to absurd hypothetical questions from readers.

Why this author is included

Randall Munroe · Author of What If? and xkcd

Who recommends it

1 person has recommended What If?. Each entry links to the source.

Each of these books made me think or laugh or, in some cases, do both.

Recommended · Exact quote Source: Vanity Fair

Evidence details

Bill Gates's Summer Reading List Includes Randall Munroe, Richard Dawkins, and More

Vanity Fair and Gates Notes debuted Gates's 2015 summer reading list, which included What If?.

The quote is taken word for word from the source.

Vanity Fair · 2015-05-19 · accessed 2026-06-22

Article · Gates Notes list via Vanity Fair

The article says VF.com and Gates Notes teamed up to debut Gates's 2015 list and names What If? as one of the seven books.

What the author has done, shown separately from who recommends the book.

Randall MunroeAuthor of What If? and xkcd

Cartoonist and science explainer behind xkcd, What If?, and xkcd: volume 0, both included on Bill Gates's 2015 summer reading list.