Welcome to your 20s, a decade of self-discovery, personal growth, and financial empowerment. Over the past few years, I have been recommended tons of books for this decade in my life. In this blog post, I’m excited to share with you my carefully curated list of books that I believe will be invaluable companions on this journey. These books not only offer insights into personal development and financial wisdom but also resonate with the hustler spirit within us. I have read some of these and hope to read the others during this decade. So, let’s dive into the best books to read in your 20s, and why I aspire to read them. So, let’s dive into the best books to read in your 20s, and why I aspire to read them.
- The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett
- 100 Million Leads and 100 Million Offers by Alex Hormozi
- The Shyness Solution by Catherine Gillet
- Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
- Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
- Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
- You Have More Influence Than You Think by Vanessa Bohns
- The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli
- The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd
- The Unfair Advantage by Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba
- Die with Zero by Bill Perkins
- Things No One Else Can Teach Us by Humble the Poet
- How to Not Die Alone by Logan Ury
- The Millionaire Fast Lane by MJ DeMarco
- Unlearn by Humble the Poet
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Feel-Good Productivity How to Do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal
The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett
What It’s About: Steven Bartlett shares his personal journey from being broke to becoming a successful CEO. He provides insights into leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal development through his own experiences and the experiences of other successful entrepreneurs.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: I want to read this book because it offers a firsthand account of a young CEO’s life. I think its going to be a great read for anyone wanting to take an unconventional path. It’s an opportunity to learn from someone who has achieved significant success and how he was able to do it.
100 Million Leads and 100 Million Offers by Alex Hormozi
What They’re About: These books focus on lead generation and crafting compelling offers to grow a business. Alex Hormozi shares strategies he used to generate 100 million leads for his fitness business. It is all about making your product noteworthy and so good that potential buyers can’t say no.
Why I Want to Read Them in My 20s: As someone wanting to dive into the entrepreneurial space, I have a lot of ideas but don’t know where to start or build a compelling product. This book is so highly rated when it comes to mastering lead generation and creating irresistible offers that are essential for success.
The Shyness Solution by Catherine Gillet
What It’s About: This book explores the psychology of shyness and offers practical advice on overcoming social anxiety and improving interpersonal skills. This book is all about proven methods to dealing with shyness in any situation whether it is work or a relationship.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: Social skills are vital for personal and professional growth. As someone who is particularly shy, I think this book will help me build confidence and enhance my communication abilities. Even if you aren’t necessarily a shy person, I think this books provides invaluable advice for just being comfortable in your own skin.
Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
What It’s About: This book guides readers on how to achieve financial independence through mindful spending, budgeting, and investment. It has been the go-to financial book for individuals wanting to take back control of there relationships with money and is easy to follow with their nine-step program.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: Developing financial literacy early in life is crucial. I aim to manage money wisely, achieve financial independence, and make my money work for me. This book is also great for building multiple streams of income, something I hope to achieve.
Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
What It’s About: Austin Kleon provides strategies for creative professionals to share their work, connect with their audience, and build a personal brand. It’s really about showing your journey and process rather than just the end result.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: As a blogger, I want to learn how to effectively showcase my content and talents. This book really encourages you to just be open and brave, and do what feels right for you. I really liked this easy read that is filled with knowledge.
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
What It’s About: The book exposes the gender bias that exists in data collection and design, leading to gender inequalities. It is really about how the world was designed for men, in what ways it was designed for me, and how society has put women in the shadows. Built of hundreds if scientific studies, this book will change the way you see the world.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: I am greatly interested in how societies and cultural norms are built. I think this book really highlights gender bias in society and is an important book to read to approach situations with a more holistic view. This book inspires me to be more vocal about for gender equality and make informed choices.
You Have More Influence Than You Think by Vanessa Bohns
What It’s About: The novel explores the science of influence and provides actionable strategies for improving interpersonal relationships. It shows us why we fail to see the influence we have, and how that lack of awareness can lead to missed opportunities.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: Understanding the power of influence is crucial for career and personal growth. This book can help me harness my influence effectively but also understand the influence of others around me. With a strong connection to feelings, I think this book will dive deep into how we think about ourselves.
The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli
What It’s About: Rolf Dobelli discusses common cognitive biases and decision-making errors, offering insights on how to make better choices. This book is all about our behavioral tendencies from a neuroscience lens, helping us minimize our “thinking errors”.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: Developing critical thinking skills early in life can prevent costly mistakes and lead to smarter decision-making. I think this book is an amazing way to really understand why we think the way we do and will put power back into our hands, so we can make the informed decision that we should.
The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd
What It’s About: This books is really about finding how to live life after your feel like you’re doing the wrong work, and it isn’t fulfilling. It is a great book for those wanting to take an unconventional path, and do not know where to start.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: I hope yo take a more unconventional path in my life by working in the corporate world and also pursuing my creative side. I think this book will be a guide to do just that.
The Unfair Advantage by Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba
What It’s About: This book explores how individuals can identify and leverage their unique strengths and skills to gain a competitive edge in their careers and entrepreneurial pursuits. It really makes you think about the myths behind success and how to harness what is already in your favor.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: Understanding my unique abilities and how to use them effectively can set me apart in my professional endeavors, making this book a must-read for my career aspirations. We don’t really realize what our unfair advantages are, so I hope this book really helps me identify that.
Die with Zero by Bill Perkins
What It’s About: Bill Perkins challenges conventional wisdom about wealth accumulation and spending. He advocates for optimizing life experiences rather than hoarding wealth. This book is all about how rescue individuals from over-saving and under-living, making sure you still enjoy life.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: This book can reshape my perspective on wealth and financial priorities, helping me make the most of my resources in pursuit of a fulfilling life. I feel like I should constantly save the extra money I earn currently, and I hope to change that mindset with this book.
Things No One Else Can Teach Us by Humble the Poet
What It’s About: Humble the Poet shares personal stories and insights from his life’s journey, encouraging readers to embrace adversity and learn from unique experiences. This book is all about the painful experiences no one prepares us for, and how to find the silver lining in it all.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: Life is full of valuable lessons, and this book inspires me to embrace my experiences, both good and bad, to fuel personal growth. Humble the Poet is an amazing author and has so much knowledge to share on life’s ups and downs.
How to Not Die Alone by Logan Ury
What It’s About: Logan Ury explores the science of love and relationships, offering advice on finding and maintaining meaningful connections. It is really about how to change your approach and behaviors towards relationships, and how to regain control of what might be holding you back.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: In my 20s, understanding and building fulfilling relationships is crucial for personal happiness and growth, making this book a valuable resource. I think this would be a great book at any age to read, but now is the time to really understands my own reasons for making certain decisions in regards to relationships.
The Millionaire Fast Lane by MJ DeMarco
What It’s About: MJ DeMarco presents a blueprint for achieving financial independence through entrepreneurship and unconventional wealth-building strategies. If you are interested in building wealth and understanding how wealthy people get rich, this book is for you.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: For someone who wants to save money and achieve financial success, this book provides insights into fast-tracking wealth creation through entrepreneurial endeavors. This book is not just about saving in 401Ks and retirement funds which is a breath of fresh air.
Unlearn by Humble the Poet
What It’s About: Humble the Poet challenges common beliefs and encourages readers to unlearn outdated habits and thought patterns. This is an empowering book about how to live our lives on our own terms, helping you recognize the possibilities that await us.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: As I strive to grow and evolve, unlearning old habits and beliefs can open the door to personal transformation and new opportunities. I started reading this book years ago, and it is filled with so much knowledge on how to let go of the past and relearn a new, positive, mindset.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
What It’s About: James Clear explores the science of habit formation and provides actionable strategies for building positive habits and breaking negative ones. This book is all about creating systems instead of goals, helping you create sustainable habits that will last a life-time.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: Developing good habits early in life can have a profound impact on my personal and professional success, making this book a valuable resource. This book has invaluable information when it comes to building healthy, sustainable habits, such as working out and being productive, but also, breaking the ones you do not want to keep.
Feel-Good Productivity How to Do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal
What It’s About: Ali Abdaal, a productivity YouTuber and doctor, shares strategies for achieving productivity that aligns with your personal values and goals. The book emphasizes finding joy and fulfillment in your work while maximizing efficiency.
Why I Want to Read It in My 20s: It offers a perspective on productivity that focuses not just on getting more done but on doing more of what truly matters. In my 20s, when I’m building my career and life, understanding how to work efficiently while maintaining a sense of purpose and joy is essential.
Conclusion
These books collectively offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for your 20s, aligning with your goals of personal growth, financial empowerment, and the pursuit of joy. Whether you’re aiming to excel in your career, build wealth, improve relationships, or enhance your decision-making skills, these are the best books to read in your 20s for valuable insights and guidance. Happy reading and learning!
With love,
Aditi <3
Aditi Rani – Figuring Out Life in Your Twenties
*Disclaimer: This is not professional advice. Some links are affiliate. By clicking and/or purchasing, I may receive a commission. It does not alter the price or change your buyer experience.