Your 20s can be both an amazing and scary time in anyone's life, which is why these books to read in your 20s may be helpful! They are full of both advice and stories to learn from that will help you to tackle your 20s! Whether you're moving after college, losing friends, feeling lost in your career, or unhappy being single while you feel like everyone is getting married, just know you're not alone! Try reading these books to read in your 20s to help get you through!
1. Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close
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This first book to read in your 20s tells the story of three women dealing with heartbreak, career change, family pressure, and new love, all while suffering through an endless round of weddings and bridal showers. Jennifer Close uses her wit and humor to guide you through the confusing early adult years, when everyone seems to have a job or a plan or a marriage on the horizon, but you're still wondering what you want to be when you grow up.
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Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close is a humorous and relatable novel that follows the lives of three women in their twenties as they navigate the ups and downs of life. Through their experiences, readers can explore themes of heartbreak, career change, family pressure, and new love. Jennifer Close’s writing style is witty and light-hearted, making it an enjoyable and easy read for those in their twenties, or anyone who can relate to the struggles of growing up. The book has been praised for its honest portrayal of the struggles of young adulthood.
2. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche
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When Rachel Bertsche moves to Chicago, she’s so glad that she's finally living with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, after they get married, she comes to realize that she's now missing friends, leading her to go on a succession of "friend-dates" so she can hopefully meet her BFF. It's a great read for your 20s as you may find that after college, friends start to feel far and few!
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In MWF Seeking BFF, the quest for platonic companionship unfolds with humor and heartfelt moments. Bertsche’s journey is insightful, delving into the complexities of adult friendships. And as she navigates the nuances of friendship dating, the reader gleans wisdom on maintaining social ties amidst the busyness of post-college life. This book isn't just about finding friends; it's a poignant exploration of what it means to connect and belong in a new phase of life. A relatable foray perfect for anyone who's ever felt a bit lonely in a new chapter.
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3. Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
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This Dr. Seuss classic should be read by everyone in their 20s at some point! In this beloved story, Dr. Seuss addresses graduates from preschool to grad school, offering up plenty of motivation for moving forward. It's a great (and colorful) book to flip through when you're feeling lost to remind you that everyone does! You will find what you want to do in life eventually, so don't worry!
4. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
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It's the story of a girl who gets a dream job with the boss from hell. If you haven't read it, you've probably seen the movie. While you might not dream of getting a job at a big fashion magazine, this is a great read for women in their 20s to read to realize what their self-worth is in the career world.
In the journey of finding the perfect love story, one often gets lost in the plethora of quotes and dialogues. However, if you're looking for the epitome of romance, Allie & Noah's story can be your perfect solace. Check out these engrossing the notebook quotes that will make you believe in love's magic once again. these quotes provide a roller-coaster of emotions that every woman can resonate with.
5. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
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Esther Greenwood is smart, beautiful, talented, and successful, but she is steadily going crazy. In this classic novel, Sylvia Plath pulls you in and reveals the darkest places a person can go. I would recommend this read to those in their 20s to remember to keep their sanity through it all!
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The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is a classic novel that captures the struggles of a young woman as she navigates the complexities of life. The protagonist, Esther Greenwood, is a successful, intelligent, and beautiful college student who finds herself slowly slipping into madness. Plath uses her own experiences to craft a powerful narrative that draws readers in and exposes the depths of despair that a person can reach.
The novel is set in the 1950s and covers topics such as mental illness, sexism, and the pressures of society. It is a timeless story of a woman who is trying to make sense of the world around her and find her place in it. Despite the darkness of the novel, it is ultimately a story of hope and resilience.
The Bell Jar is a must-read for anyone in their 20s. It is an unflinching look at the struggles of young adulthood and a reminder to stay true to oneself despite the pressures of society. It is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can still find the strength to face our fears and come out stronger on the other side.
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6. Overqualified by Joey Comeau
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If you're having difficulty finding a job or making yourself look like the best candidate, try this. In the course of writing cover letters, Comeau ends up addressing everything from his own childhood to humanity. You don't want to write your own cover letters this way, but this book will give you a laugh when you feel like you've written over 100 cover letters with no luck.
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Overqualified dives into the absurdity and desperation of job hunting with razor-sharp wit. Through a collection of outrageous and often darkly comic cover letters, Joey Comeau provides a unique narrative that resonates with anyone who's felt the sting of the job market. It's a roller coaster of emotion, cleverly critiquing modern work culture while telling a personal story. So, grab a cup of coffee and prepare to chuckle, cringe, and nod along with Comeau's unorthodox approach to employment woes. It's the sort of book that not only entertains but might just inspire your own creative spin on those daunting applications.
7. Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
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This book tells the tale of Franny Banks, an actress in NYC who is struggling to find work as an actress while dreaming of more important things. She's more interested in legitimate work than mundane commercials. She's worried partly because she feels like she has no real skills. This is a great book that illuminates the fears lots of girls have in their 20s, plus it's written by Lauren Graham! Someday, Someday, Maybe is funny and charming, and it's a great read for those of you dreaming big!
8. What She Saw by Lucinda Rosenfeld
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Breaking up is something that is very difficult, but when you are breaking up and growing up at the same time? It's even harder! This book is all about what she saw. It's a light-hearted, amazing book that everyone should read in their 20s!
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What She Saw by Lucinda Rosenfeld is a coming-of-age novel that follows the story of a young woman as she navigates the difficult process of breaking up and growing up. It's a light-hearted and honest look at the struggles of finding your place in the world during your 20s, filled with humor and insight. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a relatable story that will leave them feeling empowered and inspired.
9. Main Street by Sinclair Lewis
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This is absolutely one of the classics to read when you are in your 20s! It's all about a big-city girl that marries a doctor and settles in the Midwest. She falls to being narrow-minded and unimaginative and she tries to get out of that rut.
10. Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins
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This story is all warm, totally funny and is all about private wishes. It's a fiction tale that you can really get sucked into in a matter of moments and truthfully, you'll relate to it a lot in your 20s, as you are searching for your own freedom!
11. How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, by Toby Young
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This is a book that everyone in the world should read! Not only is it extremely funny, but it's such a true book! The off-color jokes and the extreme wit is enough to make you want to read this book in one sitting!
12. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
This book will blow you away! It's about poor Oscar, an overweight author who decides to end the tragic curse that has plagued his family for many years. Oscar sets out to change his life and he takes you along for the ride. Get ready!
13. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
If you've never read one of Donna Tartt's novels, you are seriously missing out. This one surrounds Richard, an impressionable college student who falls prey to peer pressure as he attempts to feel accepted and loved. What happens is tragic and changes his life forever. You aren't going to be able to put this one down.
14. Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture by Douglas Coupland
This book might just speak to you. It tells the tale of kids raised in the 80s and 90s and how their upbringing turned them into the people they are now. As they work dead end jobs and drink away their suffering, you get an inside look at how generation xers are struggling.
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Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture by Douglas Coupland is a must-read for those in their twenties. It captures the struggles of the generation born in the 80s and 90s as they try to make their way in the world. Through stories of dead-end jobs and coping with the struggles of life, readers get an inside look at the lives of Generation Xers. This book is sure to resonate with readers in their twenties, providing insight into the lives of those who came before them.
15. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
No doubt, World War I had many far reaching consequences. This novel, called one of Hemingway's masterpieces, chronicles the life of a couple of lost souls after the war ends and life must return to normal. Get a peek at life in Paris in the 1920s and how the war changed everyone and turned the entire world into a different place to live. You'll be thinking about this book long after you turn the last page.
16. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Mitchell only ever wrote this book and it's probably because she could never top it. Follow Scarlett O'Hara as her family lives their life of luxury on their southern plantation, called Tara. Experience her grief as the Civil War rips through the country and takes everything she holds dear. This story of triumph and overcoming hardship will inspire you in ways you never thought possible.
17. My Misspent Youth: Essays by Meghan Daum
If non-fiction is more your cup of tea, try out this collection of essays penned by Meghan Daum. Her real world approach to everything facing young people today will have you on the edge of your seat. You will love that you'll be able to identify with a lot fo what she says.
18. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac spent many years traveling around North America with a good friend, and this book highlights the road trip for you. He's a standout writer and his words are so magical that they'll draw you in and will never let you go. You'll love his passion for America and will feel like you're spending time with a good friend. This book has been recommended numerous times for people in their 20s.
19. Just Kids by Patti Smith
If you wish you could have lived in the 1960s and 1970s, you will want to grab this book right away. It's all about the author and her relationship with a famous photographer. Take a look at a bygone era through her eyes as she falls in love at the Chelsea Hotel. You'll wish more than ever that you could go back in time after you read this stunning book.
20. The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem
In this great book, recommended over and over for readers in their 20s, you get to follow two best friends over the span of thirty years as they experience all the epic changes that occur in New York City. That includes everything from street art to the changing face of music. Full of characters and events, this book will suck you in and never let you go.
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The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem is an epic story of friendship, music, art, and the changing face of New York City. It follows two best friends over the course of thirty years, beginning in the 1970s and ending in the 2000s. This book has been highly recommended for readers in their 20s, as it offers an honest and captivating look at the struggles and triumphs of growing up in a big city. It has been praised for its vivid characters and intense plot, making it an absolute must-read for young adults.
21. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
If you've ever experienced lost love or a feeling of being lost in life in general, Gilbert will speak to your soul in this book. It's a true account of her divorce and spiral into depression. Then you get to go along for the ride as she travels the country finding herself and creating a life that's worth living. If you need inspiration, you'll get no lack of with this book.
Coming from someone who is almost halfway through her 20s (that's so scary to say!), I can assure you it gets better. After first graduating college I was so scared entering the real world, had no idea what I was doing, couldn't find a job, and was still single. 4 years later and I have solved all of those issues! What books have you read (or are reading) that are great books for 20-year-olds to read?
This article written in collaboration with editor, Eliza Martinez
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