7 Books You Should Read in Your 20s That Will Change How You See Life

There is something uniquely chaotic about being in your 20s. One minute you feel like you finally have life figured out and the next you are questioning every decision you have ever made. It is a decade filled with change, uncertainty, excitement, heartbreak, growth, and self discovery.

For many people, your 20s are the first real years of adulthood. You are learning how to survive outside of school, figuring out careers, building relationships, losing friendships, paying bills, and trying to become the person you always imagined you would be. It can be exciting but also overwhelming.

That is why books can become so important during this stage of life.

Sometimes a novel helps you feel understood. Other times a memoir offers advice from someone who already survived the chaos you are currently experiencing. And occasionally a book completely changes how you view yourself and the world around you.

The best books to read in your 20s are the ones that stay with you long after you finish the final page. They help you process regrets, embrace uncertainty, and understand that nobody truly has everything figured out.

We decided to put together a list of seven books that perfectly capture the highs and lows of your 20s. Some of these books are emotional, some are inspiring, and some are brutally honest about how difficult adulthood can be. But all of them offer something meaningful to readers navigating this complicated decade of life.

7 Books That You Should Read in Your 20’s 

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 
• Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies by Tara Schuster 
• The Group by Mary McCarthy 
• I Might Regret This by Abbi Jacobson 
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig 
• F*ck! I’m in My Twenties by Emma Koenig 
• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Few books have inspired readers quite like The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

At first glance, the novel feels simple. It follows a young shepherd named Santiago as he travels across the world searching for treasure after having a recurring dream. But underneath the straightforward story is a powerful message about purpose, ambition, and following your dreams.

Your 20s are often the years when you start questioning what you truly want from life. Many people realize they are chasing goals that were chosen for them by family, society, or expectations rather than pursuing what actually makes them happy. The Alchemist speaks directly to that feeling.

The novel encourages readers to take risks, trust themselves, and believe that pursuing your dreams is worth the uncertainty that comes with it. While some readers view the book as overly philosophical, there is no denying how impactful it has been for millions of people around the world.

It is also the kind of novel that changes depending on when you read it. You may take one lesson from it in your early 20s and discover something entirely different when revisiting it years later.

Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies by Tara Schuster

Adulting is difficult and Tara Schuster understands that better than most.

In Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies, Schuster shares her personal journey of learning how to take care of herself emotionally, mentally, and physically after growing up in a dysfunctional environment. The memoir blends humor, honesty, and practical advice in a way that feels relatable rather than preachy.

One of the hardest parts of your 20s is realizing that nobody is coming to magically fix your life for you. You have to learn how to build routines, prioritize your mental health, and create stability on your own. That process can be messy and exhausting.

What makes this book stand out is how honest Schuster is about her struggles. She does not pretend self improvement happens overnight and she openly discusses anxiety, toxic relationships, and learning how to become the kind of person she actually wanted to be.

It is funny, emotional, and incredibly relatable for anyone trying to figure life out one step at a time.

The Group by Mary McCarthy

Published in 1963, The Group by Mary McCarthy still feels surprisingly modern.

The novel follows a group of female friends after graduating college as they navigate careers, marriage, relationships, independence, and societal expectations. Even though it was written decades ago, many of the struggles the characters face remain incredibly relevant today.

Your 20s often change friendships in unexpected ways. Some people grow together while others drift apart entirely. The Group captures that reality beautifully while also exploring the pressure young women face when trying to define their identities.

The novel was considered controversial when it was first released because of its honest discussions about sexuality and women’s independence. Today, it feels like a fascinating time capsule while also remaining emotionally relevant.

Readers in their 20s will likely see parts of themselves reflected in multiple characters throughout the story.

I Might Regret This by Abbi Jacobson

Abbi Jacobson became widely known for co-creating the television series Broad City, but her memoir I Might Regret This offers a more vulnerable and personal side of the comedian.

The book follows Jacobson during a solo road trip across the United States after going through heartbreak and major life changes. Along the way, she reflects on loneliness, creativity, anxiety, relationships, and the uncertainty that often defines your 20s.

One thing many people experience during this decade is the fear that they are falling behind everyone else. Social media makes it seem like everyone has successful careers, perfect relationships, and exciting lives while you are barely holding things together.

Jacobson captures that insecurity perfectly.

The memoir feels deeply personal and conversational, almost like talking to a close friend who understands exactly what you are going through. It also explores how being alone can sometimes help you better understand yourself.

For readers feeling lost or uncertain about their future, this book can be incredibly comforting.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Regret is one of the defining emotions of your 20s.

You constantly wonder what would happen if you made different decisions. What if you chose another career path? What if you stayed in that relationship? What if you moved somewhere else? What if you took more risks?

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig takes those questions and turns them into a deeply emotional story.

The novel follows Nora Seed, a woman who discovers a magical library between life and death where every book allows her to experience a different version of her life based on choices she could have made.

It is a fascinating concept but what truly makes the novel resonate with readers is its emotional honesty. Haig explores depression, regret, loneliness, and the unrealistic expectations people place on themselves.

Your 20s can feel overwhelming because it seems like every decision will determine the rest of your life. The Midnight Library reminds readers that perfection does not exist and that every life comes with struggles.

It became one of the biggest bestsellers of the decade for a reason.

F*ck! I’m in My Twenties by Emma Koenig

Few books capture the chaos of your 20s quite like Fck! I’m in My Twenties* by Emma Koenig.

Part illustrated humor book and part survival guide, Koenig’s work perfectly captures the awkwardness, confusion, and anxiety that define early adulthood. From bad jobs to dating disasters to financial struggles, the book feels painfully relatable.

What makes it work so well is its honesty.

Many self help books about adulthood try to sound motivational or polished, but Koenig embraces the messiness of being young and uncertain. She openly discusses feeling lost, comparing yourself to others, and trying to figure out who you are supposed to become.

The humor throughout the book also makes difficult topics feel lighter and easier to process.

Sometimes the best thing a book can do is remind you that everyone else is struggling too.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Therapy has become a much bigger part of public conversations in recent years and Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is one of the best books exploring mental health and personal growth.

Written by therapist Lori Gottlieb, the memoir combines stories about her patients with her own experience going to therapy after a painful breakup.

Your 20s are often when emotional baggage starts catching up with you. Childhood experiences, toxic relationships, insecurities, and anxiety suddenly become impossible to ignore. Many people begin therapy during this decade because they realize they need help processing everything they are carrying.

Gottlieb approaches these topics with compassion, humor, and honesty. The book does not just explain therapy. It humanizes it.

Readers will likely recognize parts of themselves in the stories and conversations throughout the memoir. It is insightful without ever feeling overwhelming and offers valuable lessons about vulnerability, healing, and self awareness.

Why Books Matter So Much in Your 20s

The books you read in your 20s often stay with you forever because they arrive during such a transformative period of life.

This is the decade where many people experience major firsts. First jobs. First apartments. First heartbreaks. First serious relationships. First moments of independence. You are constantly evolving and trying to understand yourself.

Books can offer guidance during that uncertainty.

Some novels help readers feel less alone while others provide new ways of thinking about success, happiness, and relationships. The right book at the right moment can completely shift your perspective.

That is why so many readers return to books they loved in their 20s years later. Those stories become tied to specific moments of growth and change.

Conclusion

Your 20s can be exciting, confusing, emotional, and overwhelming all at once. It is a decade where you learn who you are, what matters to you, and what kind of life you want to build.

The seven books on this list each explore different aspects of that journey. Some focus on ambition and self discovery while others tackle regret, mental health, friendship, or the realities of adulthood. Together, they create a reading list that feels honest about how complicated this stage of life can be.

Whether you are currently navigating your 20s or simply reflecting back on them, these books are absolutely worth reading.

What books helped you survive your 20s? Which novels would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below! Until next time, happy reading!

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