9 Life-Changing Books Recommended by Karlie Kloss (Picture Credit – Instagram)
Karlie Kloss reads like someone who’s always reaching toward deeper knowledge, sharper creativity, and better leadership. Her book recommendations reflect a hunger for understanding the world, the self, and the drive behind powerful ideas. From sweeping histories to personal stories of ambition, the books she loves are anything but passive. They challenge, motivate, and spark critical thinking. Whether you’re seeking clarity, ambition, or inspiration, her bookshelf offers essential lessons in transformation, perseverance, and the courage to ask bigger questions.
This global bestseller surveys human evolution from ancient hunter-gatherers to modern technocrats. Kloss admires its clarity and breadth, calling it a crash course in who we are. Harari’s narrative links myths, money, religion, and power to show how humans built civilisations. ‘Sapiens’ doesn’t merely inform—it provokes. It asks readers to question what’s natural, what’s invented, and what’s next. Every chapter delivers insight into the choices that shaped society, making this book both educational and unsettling in the best way. Through vivid storytelling and sharp analysis, it challenges assumptions and invites readers to reconsider history’s impact on present realities and future possibilities.
2. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Nike’s co-founder recounts the emotional chaos behind building a global brand. Kloss recommends it for its raw honesty and entrepreneurial fire. ‘Shoe Dog’ reveals Knight’s doubts, missteps, and stubborn drive during Nike’s earliest days. It’s a behind-the-scenes memoir about risks taken when nothing is certain. Instead of offering formulaic advice, Knight shares the messy, human story of growth. For creatives and business-minded readers alike, it’s a reminder that great ventures come from resilience, vision, and the courage to persist. The book reveals how failure and uncertainty are not obstacles but essential parts of innovation and meaningful success.
Shoe Dog (Picture Credit – Instagram)
3. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
This spiritual classic draws from Toltec wisdom to offer four principles: be impeccable with your word, don’t take things personally, don’t assume, and always do your best. Kloss values it as a guide for emotional resilience and personal clarity. Each agreement strips away unnecessary tension and invites greater self-awareness. In a noisy world full of comparison and pressure, this book champions peace over chaos. Short but profound, it’s a toolkit for living with intention, accountability, and quiet strength. It’s simple practices guide readers toward clarity, balance, and a deeper connection to what truly matters amid life’s distractions.
4. The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger
Robert Iger charts his journey from low-level TV assistant to Disney’s celebrated CEO. Kloss praises this memoir for its wisdom on integrity, risk, and calm decision-making. Iger shares tough lessons on leadership, offering anecdotes from acquisitions and cultural shifts. He emphasises empathy, curiosity, and humility—not bravado as essentials for effective management.‘The Ride of a Lifetime’ stands out for being both humble and high-level. It’s not about power for its own sake, but about building a legacy through thoughtful, ethical choices. The book offers lessons on leadership, empathy, and resilience, inspiring readers to lead with integrity and create a lasting positive impact beyond personal success.
Harari turns his lens to the future in this provocative sequel to ‘Sapiens.’ He explores humanity’s next steps, including AI, biotech, and algorithmic decision-making. Kloss finds its speculation thrilling and deeply intellectual. ‘Homo Deus’ challenges assumptions about consciousness, ethics, and the meaning of life in a tech-driven world. Harari’s tone remains accessible even when asking huge questions. Readers finish the book not just wondering what comes next, but what kind of future they want to help create, shape, and question. His insights provoke thoughtful reflection on technology, humanity, and ethics, encouraging active engagement with the challenges and possibilities ahead.
Homo Deus (Picture Credit – Instagram)
6. A Curious Mind by Brian Grazer
Oscar-winning producer Brian Grazer explains how curiosity has driven his work and personal growth. Kloss recommends it for showing how simple questions can open powerful doors. The book blends Hollywood anecdotes with reflections on learning from unexpected people. Grazer treats curiosity not as a personality trait but as a daily discipline. He uses curiosity to challenge norms, connect with others, and navigate uncertainty. Inspiring and practical, the book urges readers to stay open-minded, ask questions, and chase insight relentlessly. Through real-world examples and thoughtful guidance, it cultivates a mindset that embraces change, innovation, and lifelong learning as essential to success and fulfilment.
7. My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
Steinem reflects on a life of travel, activism, and feminist thought in this memoir. Kloss calls it grounding and powerful, especially for women redefining their paths. The book isn’t about destination—it’s about movement, connection, and conversation. Steinem’s recollections highlight how change happens when stories are shared. She shows how listening can be as revolutionary as speaking. ‘My Life on the Road’ is a deeply empathetic portrait of social change built on persistence, flexibility, and the will to keep showing up.
8. Unstoppable by Bill Nye
Science meets urgency in this lively manifesto on climate change and innovation. Kloss appreciates Nye’s ability to make complex science feel approachable and urgent. ‘Unstoppable’ doesn’t just warn—it activates. Nye combines facts with personal stories to show how individuals can make a difference. His tone is optimistic, not alarmist, creating space for engagement over fear. Whether you’re an activist or just science-curious, this book invites participation. It’s a call to protect the planet through collective, informed, and creative action. By blending facts with inspiring stories, it motivates readers to become responsible stewards and catalysts for environmental change in their communities and beyond.
Unstoppable (Picture Credit – Instagram)
9. The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane Von Furstenberg
Fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg shares her journey of becoming not just famous, but fulfilled. Kloss loves this memoir for its candour and bold self-invention. From early privilege to career struggles, DVF lays it all out with honesty. She discusses love, loss, motherhood, and ambition without apology. Her central message is empowerment through authenticity. ‘The Woman I Wanted to Be’ isn’t just about style—it’s about substance, resilience, and the lifelong process of stepping into one’s power with grace and grit. Through candid stories and heartfelt reflections, it encourages embracing vulnerability while cultivating confidence and authenticity in every aspect of life.
Karlie Kloss’s library reveals more than taste—it reflects a philosophy. Her book picks combine big ideas with personal courage, inviting readers to lead thoughtful lives. From ancient histories to urgent futures, from private reinventions to public activism, her selections suggest that learning never stops. Each book challenges conventional thinking and celebrates human possibility. Whether you’re building a business, finding your voice, or expanding your worldview, Kloss’s recommendations offer blueprints for living with purpose, curiosity, and bold, unwavering intention. They speak to dreamers, doers, and sceptics alike, encouraging reflection, resilience, and an unflinching commitment to growth and personal truth.