Books you should read in your 20s
for the fiction readers, nonfiction readers, and those in between, here are some recommendations <3
Being in your 20s is the era of really finding yourself. It’s the formative years of your life that challenge you constantly. There’s pressure and stress and career questions, all hitting you at once. But at the same time, it’s important to remember that there’s no rush, no time limit on making these decisions, and there’s no rulebook for life. Yea, you’ve heard it all before, but I had to give you the regular spiel. 🤷🏾♀️
Reading, in general, gives you so much knowledge and there’s power in that. You can “escape” and find solace in another world, and/or learn something that’ll shift your mindset. I love reading and tend to do so multiple times a day…for hours on end.
Here is a list of books I’ve read ranging from nonfiction books that’ll challenge ideas imposed by society to fictional books with characters that’ll have you saying “she just like me fr”.
Book recommendations
No spoilers but have linked some reviews in certain book titles x
1. Maame by Jessica George
Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in Twi but in my case, it means woman.
Maddie cares for her father with Parkinson's while dealing with an overbearing mother who frequently travels to Ghana. She seizes the chance to break free when her mother returns, finding a flat share and throwing herself into work and dating. However, tragedy strikes, forcing Maddie to confront her unconventional family and the complexities of love and culture. Maame explores themes of familial duty, racism, female pleasure, and the power of friendship, celebrating the discovery of belonging.2. All About Love by Bell Hooks
All About Love offers new perspectives on the interconnectedness of love in our personal and public lives. Hooks challenges conventional notions of love and offers a rethinking of self-love that brings compassion to our personal and professional relationships. She emphasizes the importance of love in healing individual and societal wounds, and challenges the idea that romantic love is the most important love.3. Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados
Isa Epley, twenty-one years old, and her best friend Gala arrive in New York City, ready to pursue pleasure and adventure despite their limited funds. They sell clothes during the day and socialize with a mix of people at night, navigating the social scene of Brooklyn, the Upper East Side, and the Hamptons. Happy Hour captures the thrill of pursuing a glamorous lifestyle while balancing the challenges of making ends meet in a system that doesn't prioritize fun or survival. 
4. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F* is a much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real-talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor. It's basically a self-help guide that cuts through the crap.5. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits is a practical guide by James Clear for improving daily habits, breaking bad ones, and achieving remarkable results. Drawing on proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience, Clear offers easy-to-understand strategies for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible.
Learn how to: Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy); Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower; Design your environment to make success easier; Get back on track when you fall off course...and much more.6. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
In Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom recounts how he reconnected with his college professor Morrie Schwartz, who was dying of ALS. Every Tuesday, Mitch visited Morrie and their rekindled relationship became one final class on how to live, with Morrie imparting valuable insights and wisdom. This touching memoir explores the power of mentorship, the meaning of life, and the importance of human connection.
7. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
As we grow, it can sometimes be easy to lose touch with where we came from. Michelle Zauner shares her story in Crying in H Mart of growing up as one of the few Asian American kids (specifically Korean American) at her school in Eugene, Oregon, and how that planted the seed for a need to forge her own identity.
After receiving news of her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis while in her mid 20’s, Michelle had a reckoning with her identity and reclaimed the gifts of taste, language, and history her mother had given her. This stunning debut is a memoir that will sit with you forever.8. Dear Dolly by Dolly Alderton
In this book, Dolly imparts all her advice from her Dear Dolly agony aunt column in The Sunday Times Style. The main sections of the book range from breakups and body issues, families, friendships, dating, divorce, the pleasures and pitfalls of social media, sex, loneliness, longing, love and everything in between. Dolly has a great way of sharing wisdom that you can learn from no matter if you relate to the question/situation or not. It’s like getting advice from an older cousin or young aunt, which is why I’ll hold this book so close and come back to it.If these synopses have rightfully piqued your interest, I’m glad. You’ll have a little fun, make better habits, give you lessons in truly living and more!
Go check these books out and leave a comment on your thoughts. Shop them secondhand, locally, OR get them from your local library, because that’s what we support round these parts. For more recommendations like these and updates on what I’m reading, head to my bookstagram!
tata! xx
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