5 Books You Must Read Before Your 20s

The path to our twenties seems absolutely terrifying, and exciting all at the same time. Exciting because it's the beginning of a new chapter of your life. Terrifying because who knows what’s in store for us. 

The last time you reached a decade of life, life didn't have any near the number of responsibilities it does now. 

I have always found comfort in literature about growing up. It’s like knowing what happens in those books helps me rest assured that I know what to do if it happens to me.
 

1. Just Kids - Patti Smith

The memoir by Patti Smith focuses on her growth in her younger years through her friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe.

This book will help you examine your own relationships with friends and family at a time when it can feel like there is so much going on. Going into your 20s with remembering how important your relationships are is key to keeping those friendships close.

Basically, when you hit ready you can be ready to psychoanalyze yourself!

2. The Maid - Nita Prose

A powerful novel which is perfect for exploring the complexities of the lives of those around us and of our own.

As we come out of our selfish eras (let's be honest - there is no escaping the selfish era we all go through in our late teens), we can begin to realise how complicated and intense every life around you is.

Knowing that those around you are having as many deep and meaningful moments as you are, can help you understand the support and kindness we should all be giving each other constantly.

You and your friends deserve the best of each other. You deserve to feel loved and supported and cared for. When you stick with each other it makes going through your 20s all that much easier.

3. Invisible Women - Caroline Criado Perez

Unfortunately bias against minorities is everywhere. It is unescapable.

So, reading the statistics and understanding how they have been fundamentally engrained in our society is important as you enter your 20s and start working and going through the motions of life.

Heading out into the world for the first time is really just uncovering the many different bias that you wouldn't have thought existed before you left school.

4. Atomic Habits - James Clear

Forming good habits is something that takes serious mental and will strength. But learning how to create and build upon good habits is exactly why you need to read Atomic Habits.

When you hit your 20's life definitely ramps up. We wanna be as prepared as possible, and that includes putting some good habits in place. It might going for a quick walk every weekday before work/study. Or it might be might be putting your phone down 2 hour before bed.

Whatever it may be learning how to build that habit is always harder than it feels like it should be. 

5. Everything I Know About Love - Dolly Alderton

Dolly Alderton is amazing! Honestly anything by her is a good read before your 20s. But to be more specific, 'Everything I Know About Love' is a perfect memoir in exploring themes of growing up and getting older.

As we start the adventure that is our twenties, there is only so much we can prepare for. But through reading some books about growing up, we are able to gain perspectives about what a potential future could be like.

If anything, I find it reassuring to read one of millions of possibilities because that's one less problem I need to solve by myself. 

And let's be real, the struggles of growing up mostly all fall under the same umbrella.

Using books to answer questions or solve problems for us is not without hurdles (like finishing the book👀)