7 Reads for the Messy, Beautiful Decade of Your Twenties
Your twenties are a strange, beautiful, and complicated decade. It’s a time of beginnings and endings, of searching and stumbling, of building the foundation of the life you want. Books can be steady companions during this season. They help offer comfort and guidance, or simply reminding you that you’re not alone in the confusion of growing up.
Here are some books that can shape, challenge, and inspire you as you navigate this pivotal decade.
1. Normal People by Sally Rooney
A raw and deeply human exploration of relationships, vulnerability, and miscommunication. This novel reminds us that intimacy is never as simple as it seems and that who we are is often tied to who we love.
2. The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
If there’s one book that speaks directly to the uncertainty of your twenties, it’s this one. Written by a clinical psychologist, it challenges the idea that your twenties are just for “figuring it out later” and encourages you to invest in love, work, and identity now.
3. Educated by Tara Westover
This memoir of resilience and transformation highlights the power of knowledge and self-discovery. It’s a reminder that you have the right to rewrite your story, no matter where you begin.
4. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
A book to reach for when you need wisdom, comfort, or a gentle push forward. Strayed’s advice, tender yet tough, feels like it’s coming from the older friend you wish you always had.
5. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
For those nights when you’re asking yourself “What if?” this novel offers a tender meditation on regrets, choices, and the meaning of a life well-lived.
6. Just Kids by Patti Smith
A poetic memoir of art, friendship, and becoming. It captures the mess and beauty of chasing creative dreams while searching for identity in early adulthood.
7. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Simple but profound, this modern classic is a story about listening to your heart and following your personal legend. It’s especially fitting when you’re still figuring out your path.
