Six Good Books to read in your Twenties

Why are our twenties such rough and formative times in our lives? What is so special about being in your twenties?

The truth about this age is that you've never had so much freedom in your life before and so this is more like the turning point for all your major decisions. You begin to feel more mature at last. In America, you can consume alcohol legally if you are at least 21 years old. However, being in college places you in a bubble where consequences seem to not apply. Of course not for the real stuff, but you can stay up all night, eat cereal for every meal, and select your area of study and major.

You get the impression that your future is in your hands; you can choose what you want to do with it and how you want to live it. That burden is enormous and terrible. That can be overwhelming, but it's also very empowering in certain ways.

It is more frustrating when you start living alone and fending for yourself, especially in a country like Ghana. Growth begins for most youth when they start their national service. It may be overwhelming when you pick a location that is very far from your home. It is not entirely bad because they are some things you learn while staying alone, there will be an article about how to have a stress-free national service.

It is therefore imperative to get books that will build your mind and set you up for the world ahead of you. Books are reservoirs of knowledge and a lot of things and it is advisable to equip yourself with knowledge.

Below are some great books that will aid you make good decisions about your life while in your twenties

1. Adulting by Kelly Williams Brown’s

This book should be kept on the reference shelf next to the dictionary by anyone who is in their twenties. It offers advice on how to conduct yourself after a job interview, compose a thank-you card, clean a bathroom, and ask for a raise at work. The most useful guide for those minor things you didn't even realize you didn't know is available here. Everyone should refresh their memory on some of its lessons.

“A big part of being a well-adjusted person is accepting that you can’t be good at everything”

When you get to understand the above quote, you will become less hard on yourself and just let things be and appreciate your growth along the way.

2.       All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg

I adore this book since it features a character who turns forty. She is single and not as successful in her job as she may have wished to be at age 20, we all wish to accomplish some things in our twenties but there are so many factors that come to play when you finally clock that age. I will spoil the story if I go any further. But people must understand that success doesn't always look the way you expect it to. It's not always best to put having a relationship as your priority.

“But I cry anyway because it was a path I could have taken and didn’t. I cry for the lost ideas, the lost concept”

Most people feel like when you grow, shedding tears belong to children, what I want to tell you is that crying is for everyone, it is a good way to release pent-up emotions and this book is just perfect for you growing up.

3. Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl

Dr. Frankl offers a compelling example of what it looks like and entails to find meaning and purpose despite our deepest suffering. We may better support ourselves and thrive in those trying crisis seasons of our twenties and beyond when we can see the significance of what we're going through in the wider picture of our lives.

“Don't aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself”

4. Atomic Habits – James Clear

It goes without saying that people have been connecting with this book because it is currently the best-selling book on Amazon in 2022. This book is for you if you want to develop new habits and make significant changes in your life.

"Habits are like the atoms of our lives, each one is a fundamental unit that contributes to your overall improvement."

5. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

This is one of those timeless tales that draws you in with the tale before dousing you with advice on what it means to follow your heart and discover your hidden treasure.  This is a highly sought book and everyone in their twenties needs to get it on their shelf.

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

6. The happiness of pursuit by Chris Guillebeau

The Happiness of Pursuit is an exhortation to take charge of your life by embarking on a journey that will give it meaning, purpose, and a ton of excitement.

“it’s your life so why not be intentional about it?”