When introducing the iPad, Steve Jobs famously said, “There’s a reason Apple is able to create products like the iPad: it’s because we’ve always focused on the intersection of technology and the liberal arts.” Apple’s ability to create such a deeply resonant brand stems from this vision—combining cutting-edge technology with user-friendly, enjoyable experiences was a hallmark of Jobs’ philosophy.

It’s no surprise that this outlook was shaped by a lifetime of reading. Based on Walter Isaacson’s biography of Jobs, here’s a list of books that inspired him:

1. King Lear by William Shakespeare

Jobs’ non-technical reading peaked during his late high school years, as noted in his biography.

Daniel Smith, author of How to Think Like Steve Jobs, remarked, “King Lear provides a vivid portrait of what happens when a ruler loses control of his kingdom. It’s no wonder this story would fascinate any aspiring CEO.”

2. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Another formative read for teenage Jobs was this American classic.

Isaacson draws a compelling connection between Jobs and Captain Ahab, the book’s protagonist. Like Jobs, Ahab learns from experience rather than intuition and is one of literature’s most relentless and determined characters.

3. The Poems of Dylan Thomas

Jobs’ high school reading list wasn’t just filled with epic tales of ambition.

According to Daniel Smith, Dylan Thomas’ poetry captivated Jobs with its near-perfect expression and striking, innovative form. One of Jobs’ favorite poems was Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night.

4. Be Here Now by Ram Dass

In 1972, Jobs attended Reed College, a school rooted in the liberal arts. During this period, he delved into spiritual books and experimented with LSD.

Ram Dass’ guide to meditation, Be Here Now, profoundly influenced him. Jobs later said, “It’s a very powerful book. It transformed me and many of my friends.”

5. Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappé

During his Reed College years, Jobs also read this influential book on vegetarianism, which sold over 3 million copies.

Jobs described it as a turning point in his life, explaining to Isaacson, “That’s when I swore off eating meat forever.”

The book also inspired Jobs to adopt more extreme dietary practices, including fasting and cleansing routines.

6. The Mucusless Diet Healing System by Arnold Ehret

After reading this book, Jobs’ dietary habits became even more adventurous. Ehret’s method, which involves eating only fruit, had a significant impact on Jobs.

He once recounted to Isaacson how he embraced this diet enthusiastically, even subsisting solely on carrots for weeks at a time—so much so that his skin turned orange.

(A word of caution from Business Insider: don’t try this at home! Actor Ashton Kutcher reportedly ended up in the hospital after attempting Jobs’ diet while preparing for the Jobs biopic.)

7. Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

Jobs first read this book, written by yoga guru Yogananda, in high school. He revisited it years later while recovering from dysentery in a Himalayan guesthouse in India.

Jobs said, “A previous traveler had left a copy of the book there. With little else to do, I read it cover to cover multiple times while moving from village to village.”

Afterward, Jobs made it a tradition to reread the book annually.

8. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

Upon returning from India, Jobs continued to explore meditation, partly because California was the birthplace of Zen Buddhism in America.

He attended lectures by Shunryu Suzuki, the author of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, and fully immersed himself in Zen practices. His close friend Daniel Kottke described this period as one where Jobs became somewhat “unbearable” due to his intensity.

Jobs later noted in Isaacson’s biography that Zen became a cornerstone of his life and even considered entering a Japanese monastery before his spiritual advisor convinced him to stay in California.

9. The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen

Apple is known for its willingness to disrupt its own success. When the iPhone was launched, it rendered the iPod largely obsolete—a bold move that mirrored the central argument of Christensen’s book.

The book explains how companies sometimes fail by clinging to their initial success instead of adapting to changes in technology and consumer behavior. Jobs embraced this idea, ensuring Apple would evolve and never fall victim to stagnation.