10 Essential Books To Read in Your 20s

Books To Read in Your 20s are often crucial guides during this decade of massive change. You are navigating your first career, balancing debt, forming serious relationships, and trying to figure out who you are outside of school. This is when your mind needs the best fuel possible.

We’ve curated a list of 10 essential books to read in your 20s. These aren’t just great reads; they are manuals for navigating this tumultuous decade. They will provide the wisdom to handle career hustle, financial pressure, and the crucial quest for personal purpose.

Below are the best 10 books one needs to read in their 20s:

1. Into the Wild — Jon Krakauer

I think a career is a 20th-century invention, and I don’t want one.

This non-fiction narrative, written by Jon Krakauer, follows Chris McCandless, who shed his comfortable life for an uncertain journey. This book is a powerful exploration of anti-materialism and independence.

For every 20-something feeling the immense pressure to follow the prescribed path—get the corporate job, buy the apartment, start the 401k—Into the Wild reminds you that true happiness lies in authenticity, not acquisition. It challenges you to define success on your own terms.

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2. The Alchemist — Paulo Coelho

“Dreamers are founders and founders are creators.”

This classic fable is essential reading for anyone considering a major life pivot, switching careers, or starting a business. It tells the story of Santiago, a shepherd boy who embarks on a quest to find a hidden treasure.

It teaches the vital lesson that the pursuit of a dream is as valuable as the dream itself. When you feel lost between jobs or unsure of your next move, this book compels you to listen to your intuition and realise that the journey—not just the destination—is where the real learning happens.

3. Power of Subconscious Mind — Joseph Murphy

‘The power of your Subconscious Mind’ will open a new world of success, happiness, prosperity, and peace for you.

Dr Joseph Murphy provides practical techniques to redirect your thinking. In your twenties, you are constantly facing rejection—from job interviews, relationships, or failed projects. This book is a powerful antidote to self-doubt.

It is one of the top self-help books to read in your 20s because it gives you a tangible tool: by learning to focus your subconscious, you can systematically attract positivity and overcome the fear of failure, transforming pessimism into optimism.

4. The brief wondrous life of oscar Wao — Junot Diaz

This Pulitzer Prize–winning novel immerses the reader in the tumultuous life of Oscar, a “lovesick Dominican ghetto nerd” searching for love and acceptance.

This is a must-read for anyone grappling with fitting in versus standing out during their formative adult years. Diaz renders a beautiful, funny, and deeply insightful exploration of the Dominican-American experience, emphasising the endless human capacity to persevere in the face of heartbreak and loss.

5. The Great Indian Novel — Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor masterfully recasts the ancient Indian epic, The Mahabharata, with characters and events from 20th-century Indian politics.

For young adults stepping into the world of civic duty and corporate politics, this book is invaluable. It’s a perfect blend of history and myth that helps you decode complex power structures through hilarious and outrageous satire, sharpening your critical thinking skills.

6. The good girl’s guide to getting lost — Rachel Friedman

Rachel Friedman surprises everyone by ditching the post-graduation plan and buying a ticket to Ireland, starting an unexpected solo journey.

If you’re stuck in the routine of the ‘early-career hustle,’ this memoir is your permission slip to ‘Simply live for the moment.’ It proves that embracing travel and spontaneity is not an escape, but a way to unlock more truths about yourself than any amount of planning ever could.

7. 5 Second Rule — Mel Robbin

The 20s Relevance: Overcoming Procrastination and Inertia.

Are you constantly putting off the big things—starting the side-hustle, applying for the dream job, or asking for the raise? According to Mel Robbins, you have a 5-second window to act before your brain kills the idea.

This scientifically-tested trick is a game-changer for the highly ambitious yet often paralysed 20-something. It is the ultimate productivity book that will surely bring positive, instant action to your day-to-day life.

8. The diary of a young girl — Anne Frank

The 20s Relevance: Resilience and Gratitude.

This real-life story takes you back to the harrowing World War II era, but the core themes—feeling distant from family, falling in love, and finding an inner life—resonate deeply with the experiences of any growing adult.

Reading Anne Frank reminds you of the most amazing thing one can experience: the uncertainty of life and the power of hope. It offers a profound perspective on resilience and the importance of documenting your own journey, even in crisis.

9. A suitable boy — Vikram Seth

The 20s Relevance: Relationships and Social Expectations.

At its core, this novel is about Lata and her mother’s quest to find a suitable boy for Lata to marry.

For young adults navigating the complicated dance between personal desire and family duty, this book is a rich, detailed mirror. It takes the reader into the complex web of four large extended families, exploring themes of love, ambition, social etiquette, and reconciliation. It’s essential for understanding the pressures of commitment and marriage in a post-modern world.

10. To kill a Mockingbird — Harper Lee

The 20s Relevance: Moral Courage and Empathy.

Harper Lee’s classic is a foundational text for developing an adult worldview. It tackles racism, class, and discrimination in a subtle yet profound way through the eyes of Scout Finch.

In your twenties, you are solidifying your own moral compass and professional ethics. This book is necessary for learning how to stand up for what is right, demonstrating the quiet power of integrity, and teaching you the value of seeing the world through another person’s eyes.

Conclusion:

These books to read in your 20s cover every major facet of the decade: self-help for career growth, literature for deep empathy, and memoirs for discovering your purpose. They are designed to challenge you, comfort you, and guide you as you build the foundation of your adult life.

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