5 books Bill Gates thinks you should read right now

Hello, When a seaplane took off this morning in Vancouver, Canada—with the CEO of Harbour Air, the ch [Compass] [Presented by]( [VERB ENERGY]( Hello, When a seaplane took off this morning in Vancouver, Canada—with the CEO of Harbour Air, the charter plane company that owns the aircraft, at the controls—it was the world’s first commercial test of an all-electric airplane. The zero-emissions plane was created by [retrofitting a standard six-seater seaplane with an electric propulsion system from Magnix]( a company headquartered in Redmond, Washington, that began developing new electric motors a decade ago. Until now, other tests of electric planes have involved either hybrids that still have fuel onboard or tiny two-seater planes. “This shows the industry, and it shows the flying public, that to fly in an electric aircraft on a commercial scale is indeed a real thing, and it’s viable,” says Magnix CEO Roei Ganzarski. —[Adele Peters]( today's fashion fight [The modeling industry is filled with exploitation—this labor activist is fighting back]( [The modeling industry is filled with exploitation—this labor activist is fighting back]( Through her nonprofit Model Alliance, Sara Ziff is tackling the dark side of the fashion industry, from child labor and low wages to sexual harassment and trafficking. [fastcompany.com]( today's reason to look busy [If you use your personal phone for work, say goodbye to your privacy]( [If you use your personal phone for work, say goodbye to your privacy]( The recent firing of a Google employee demonstrates how you relinquish your privacy—and private data, including personal photos—when you put work accounts on your personal device. [fastcompany.com]( A MESSAGE FROM VERB ENERGY [Beat the 2 p.m. slump…]( [Beat the 2 p.m. slump…]( …with a Verb Bar.These healthy and delicious energy bites are only 90 calories and packed with as much caffeine as an espresso. Stash a few away in your desk, gym bag, purse, or coat pocket for a (tasty) energy boost wherever, whenever. Fast Company readers can try all four flavors for free today–just cover $0.95 for shipping! [TRY ALL FOUR FLAVORS FOR FREE]( [verbenergy.co]( today's Performative advice [Three things you should never do in a performance review—and what to do instead]( [Three things you should never do in a performance review—and what to do instead]( Ronni Zehavi of Hibob explains how little things can make or break your annual performance review. [fastcompany.com]( today's better headspace [LeBron James partners with Calm to improve your mental fitness]( [LeBron James partners with Calm to improve your mental fitness]( “Train Your Mind” will feature 10-minute segments focusing on mental fitness, covering topics including managing emotions, sleep, and maintaining balance. [fastcompany.com]( today's '90s throwback [AIM was the killer app of 1997. It’s still shaping the internet today]( [AIM was the killer app of 1997. It’s still shaping the internet today]( In the late 1990s and early 2000s, AOL’s Instant Messenger introduced millions of people to the internet—and the idea that you were always online, even when you were “away.” [fastcompany.com]( today's top reads [Bill Gates solves your gift problems: Here are his top 5 books for the holidays]( [Bill Gates solves your gift problems: Here are his top 5 books for the holidays]( From a new history of America to a black couple in Atlanta wrapped up in the criminal justice system, here are some picks from the billionaire philanthropist. [fastcompany.com]( today's rigged economy [Celadon truck drivers turn to Facebook as thousands left stranded and jobless by bankruptcy]( [Celadon truck drivers turn to Facebook as thousands left stranded and jobless by bankruptcy]( A 34-year-old trucking company abruptly let its workforce go, but help is on the way. [fastcompany.com]( today's mixed magic [Magic Leap is going up against Microsoft and Google with its AR headset for businesses]( [Magic Leap is going up against Microsoft and Google with its AR headset for businesses]( Like others in the challenging mixed reality space, Magic Leap is hoping sales to corporations will sustain it until the consumer market matures. [fastcompany.com]( today's kicker [Adidas made sneakers and a rain jacket from ocean plastic—and now they’re on sale]( [Adidas made sneakers and a rain jacket from ocean plastic—and now they’re on sale]( The Adidas Parley for the Oceans collaboration, Pharrell Williams’s line, and more are included in the “Friends and Family” sale this week. [fastcompany.com]( Did you enjoy this issue? [Fast Company] You can [update your details here](. If you don’t want to receive Compass anymore, [unsubscribe here]( If you were forwarded Compass and like it, [subscribe here]( [View this newsletter online]( Powered by [Revue]( 7 World Trade Center, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10007-2195