Being in your twenties can be a really exciting and sometimes overwhelming time. You’re trying to figure out what kind of career you want, where you want to live, and how to navigate the world as an adult.
There’s so much information out there and sometimes it can feel like you need all the advice that you can find. That’s why we’ve compiled 25 of the best books for women in their 20s.
From non-fiction books to memoirs and science fiction, these titles have been carefully chosen to help guide and inspire young women as they explore life in their twenties.
Table of Contents
1.) 101 Secrets For Your 20s by Paul Angone
This period is marked by confusion, repetitive work, burnout, cubicles, breakups, transition periods, quarter-life crises, loneliness, and moderate success sandwiched between extensive failure. It’s important to keep an old and tattered guide of 101 life secrets nearby to shed some light on.
2.) How to Love by Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh offers a fresh perspective on an age-old question. He explains that love is not merely an emotion but an art that can be cultivated through mindfulness and practice.
By teaching us how to love ourselves and others with compassion and understanding, Thich Nhat Hanh shows us that true happiness is possible. This is an amazing book for anyone who wants to learn how to love more deeply and create lasting happiness in their lives.
3.) Girl, Stop Apologizing by Hollis Rachel
Entrepreneur and business coach Hollis Rachel encourages women to get over their need to apologize for everything.
She provides readers with tips on how to reframe their thinking and take control of their lives. This is an empowering book that will inspire women to go after their dreams and achieve their full potential.
4.) You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Jen Sincero shares her own journey from self-doubt to self-love and empowerment. She provides readers with practical advice and exercises for overcoming negative self-talk, building self-confidence, and living an awesome life that’s in alignment with your values and goals.
If you’re looking for a book that will help you get out of your own way and start living the new life you want, then this big magic can happen with this book.
5.) The Kidult Handbook by Nicole Booz
In her twenties, Nicole Booz was working hard and playing harder. That is one of the reasons why we put her book on this list of books for women in their 20s.
She was juggling multiple jobs, an active social life, and a hectic love life. And she loved every minute of it. But then she realized that something was missing: she didn’t have a plan for her future. So she decided to write one.
The Kidult Handbook is a fun and practical guide to help twenty-something to figure out what they want in life and how to get it.
Nicole walks readers through the process of self-discovery, goal setting, and action planning. She also includes tips on dealing with anxiety, managing finances, and building healthy relationships.
Whether you’re just starting out in your twenties or you’re nearing the end of this decade, The Kidult Handbook will help you figure out what you want from life and give you the tools to make it happen.
6.) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho’s novel, The Alchemist, is the perfect read for women in their twenties. It tells the story of Santiago, a shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a treasure as great as any ever found.
In the story, he will see enormous wealth contrasted with lands and people. Along the way, he meets an alchemist who helps him to realize his true potential and discover his destiny.
The Alchemist is a beautifully written book brimming with emotional and spiritual discoveries.
It is a perfect read for young women who are searching for their own place in the world and trying to make sense of their lives. The book will inspire them to pursue their dreams and follow their hearts.
7.) Undistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life by Nir Eyal
Eyal provides readers with a step-by-step guide on how to become more aware of their surroundings and make better choices in their everyday lives.
He begins by discussing the importance of focus and how our attention is constantly pulled in different directions. He then goes on to provide strategies on how to train our brains to become more focused and present.
The book is full of actionable advice and real-life examples that any woman in her early twenties can relate to. If you’re looking for a book that will help you take control of your life and focus on what’s important to you, then this is a perfect read.
8.) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Evelyn Hugo was a renowned actress in the Golden Age of Hollywood. She was a remarkable woman, and talented, and had a string of seven husbands. But there was one husband that she kept hidden from the public eye.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a captivating novel about Evelyn’s life, love, and secrets. Taylor Jenkins Reid writes with humor and insight, giving readers a glimpse into the complicated life of a Hollywood legend.
This novel is perfect for women in their twenties who are looking for a complex and fascinating read. It’s also a great choice for anyone who loves classic Hollywood movies or novels with strong female characters.
9.) The Course of Love by Alain de Botton
The book explores the ups and downs of relationships and offers advice on how to navigate through them. De Botton’s writing is insightful and relatable in today’s modern world, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for guidance in love.
10.) Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk
In “Crush It!”, Gary Vaynerchuk shows you how to take your passion and turn it into a successful business. He provides practical, actionable advice on how to build a personal brand, create content that people want to consume, and use social media to reach a wider audience.
Whether you’re looking to start your own business or simply want to find a way to monetize your passion, “Crush It!” is an essential read.
11.) Wild by Cheryl Strayed
If there’s one book that perfectly captures the highs and lows of being in your twenties, it’s Wild by Cheryl Strayed. The book follows Strayed as she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail alone after her life has fallen apart following the death of her mother and the end of her marriage.
It’s a story of grief, self-discovery, self-help, and ultimately, redemption. While it may not be an easy read at times, it’s ultimately an empowering one that will leave you feeling inspired to take on whatever life throws your way.
12.) Rising Strong by Brené Brown
It can be tough to feel like you’re constantly falling short, but Brené Brown’s Rising Strong encourages readers to see failure as an opportunity for personal growth.
By sharing her own struggles, Brown shows that it’s possible to pick yourself up after a fall and become even stronger. If you’re looking for a book that will inspire you to keep going, this is it.
13.) The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change by Jon Gordon
Jon Gordon shares a simple lesson that can help create positive change in your life. He tells the story of a well-behaved woman who went to a coffee shop every morning and ordered a cup of coffee.
One day, she noticed that the barista was struggling to make her coffee. She asked him what was wrong and he shared that he was having a tough day. The woman offered to help him make her coffee and the two began to chat.
The barista shared that he was struggling with some personal issues and the woman offered to listen. They talked for a while and the barista felt better after sharing his problems. The woman told him that if he ever needed someone to talk to, she would be there for him.
The next day, when the woman went back to the coffee shop, she saw that the barista had made her coffee without any trouble. She asked him what had happened and he told her that he had used the techniques she showed him to deal with his problems.
This unforgettable story teaches us that even something as small as lending an ear can create positive change in someone’s life. If you’re looking for a book that will inspire you to be kinder and more helpful to others, then this is it.
14.) Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell explores the idea of “thin-slicing” – the ability of our subconscious to make split-second decisions that are often more accurate than those made after careful deliberation.
This ability is something we all have, but it’s especially useful for women in their twenties who are often bombarded with choices and don’t have the time or energy to weigh them all carefully.
Blink is an engaging and thought-provoking read that will leave you questioning your own decision-making process and how much you really know about the people and things around you.
15.) Normal People by Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney’s Normal People is a novel about two young people, Connell and Marianne, who grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland.
They go to the same school and have the same group of friends, but they are from very different backgrounds. Connell is popular and good-looking, while Marianne is a shy and unpopular human being.
The story follows Connell and Marianne as they move through college and into adulthood. Their relationship is complex and often tricky, but it is also deeply moving and ultimately hopeful.
Normal People is an intimate portrait of young love in all its messy, confusing glory. It is funny, sad, insightful, and utterly compelling. If you’re looking for a book that will make you feel all the feels, this is it.
16.) The Defining Decade by Dr. Meg Jay
Dr. Meg Jay’s book, “The Defining Decade”, is one of the best books for women in their twenties. In it, Dr. Jay provides an insightful and practical guide to making the most of this crucial decade of life.
She covers a wide range of topics, including love and work, and provides actionable advice that can help readers make the most of their twenties.
This book is an essential read for any woman in her 20s who wants to make the most of this pivotal decade. It will help you to understand the choices you face and how to make the best decisions for your future.
17.) The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg is a must-read for anyone looking to change their life for the better. In his book, Duhigg details the science behind how habits are formed and how they can be changed.
He provides readers with actionable steps for breaking bad habits and forming good ones. This is an incredibly powerful book that can help any woman in her twenties make lasting changes in her life.
18.) Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
The bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert explores the ways in which we can all lead more creative lives, regardless of our talents or abilities. She also debunks the myth that creativity is only for artists or people with a “creative temperament”, and instead argues that everyone has the potential to be creative.
With practical advice and moving stories from her own life, Gilbert shows us how to embrace our fears and use them as fuel for our creativity.
19.) When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
In his inspirational memoir, When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi chronicles his battle with stage IV lung cancer. A neurosurgeon, Kalanithi was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 36, just as he and his wife were expecting their first child.
While struggling with the decision of whether or not to have surgery that would prolong his life but leave him unable to practice medicine, Kalanithi reflects on what it means to be a doctor and what it means to live a meaningful life.
For women in their twenties who are facing their own mortality, this book is a powerful reminder that life is precious and fleeting. It is also a reminder that our choices – no matter how difficult – ultimately define us.
20.) Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
In her twenties, Katherine May faced some of the most difficult times of her life. She was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, her husband was diagnosed with a debilitating illness, and she was struggling to find meaningful work. May found solace in the power of rest and retreat, which she describes in her book Wintering.
May argues that our culture tells us to push through difficult times, but sometimes the best thing we can do is take a step back and let ourselves heal.
May advocates for taking time to rest, both physically and mentally, in order to create space for healing. She also suggests creating rituals and routines that offer comfort and support during difficult times.
May’s book offers an important reminder that it’s okay to slow down during tough times. It’s a moving and inspiring read that will leave you feeling hopeful about the future.
21.) Stupidity in Action by Clark Huff
There is no better way to learn about the stupidity of youth than through the lens of Clark Huff. In his book “Stupidity in Action”, he takes a humorous look at the things young people do that make them look foolish.
From getting drunk and making bad decisions to being too trusting of strangers, Huff shows us that stupidity is often just a matter of being young and inexperienced.
While his book is full of laugh-out-loud moments, it also has a serious message about the importance of taking responsibility for your actions. For any woman in her twenties who wants to learn from the mistakes of others, “Stupidity in Action” is a must-read.
22.) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Oliver Burkeman provides readers with a fresh and funny take on the age-old problem of managing time. He offers up a variety of tips and tricks for making the most of one’s time, including how to avoid procrastination, how to set priorities, and how to find motivation.
Burkeman’s book is sure to appeal to anyone who has ever struggled with time management, which makes it an ideal read for women in their twenties.
After all, 20-somethings are often juggling multiple responsibilities and struggling to find a work-life balance. This book will help them make the most of their limited time so they can focus on what’s truly important to them.
23.) The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is one of the best books for women in their 20s.
It’s a novel about a woman who discovers a library that allows her to revisit past lives and make different choices. This book is perfect for anyone who is looking to reflect on their personal life and make some changes.
24.) Playing Big by Tara Mohr
Tara Mohr provides readers with practical tools to help them quiet their inner critic, find their voice, and step into their power.
She offers exercises and guidance on how to identify and change the self-limiting beliefs that keep us stuck in life. This book is an essential read for any woman who wants to create a life she loves.
25.) Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
This book is all about learning to live below your means so that you can save money and live a more fulfilling life. It’s packed with tips on how to budget, save money, and make wise financial decisions at the same time investing in your personal development.
