11 Best Books for Women in Their 20s

For women in their 20s seeking a new book to inspire, motivate, and uplift them, there is a comprehensive list of impactful reads available. This list includes a variety of genres, from personal development and self-help to memoirs, biographies, and fiction. With options for every taste, this list promises to leave readers changed for the better.

Some notable titles on the list include “Girl, Stop Apologizing” by Rachel Hollis, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, and “Educated” by Tara Westover. Whether readers prefer to read or listen, this list has something for everyone.

Table of Contents

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

Mark Manson’s book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” offers a unique perspective on self-help. Rather than focusing on positivity, Manson argues that accepting negative experiences is the key to a happier life. With over 10 million copies sold, this #1 New York Times bestseller has become a generation-defining guide for those seeking a counterintuitive approach to self-improvement.

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join The New Rich by Timothy Ferriss

The 4-Hour Workweek

Timothy Ferriss’s book, The 4-Hour Workweek, challenges the traditional idea of retirement and the deferred-life plan. In today’s unpredictable economic climate, waiting to live your dream life is unnecessary.

The book offers a blueprint for readers to escape the rat race, travel the world, and earn a passive monthly income. The philosophy is to work less and live more, which can be achieved by implementing Ferriss’s practical advice.

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

You Are a Badass

Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass is a hilarious and inspiring self-help book that has topped the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. The book provides valuable advice on how to make positive changes in your life without getting caught up in self-doubt.

By the end of the book, readers will have a better understanding of themselves, how to accept what they cannot change, how to change what they do not like, and how to use their inner strength to achieve their goals.

Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals by Rachel Hollis

Girl, Stop Apologizing

In her book, Rachel Hollis challenges women to stop holding themselves back and start pursuing their dreams. She identifies common excuses that hold women back and provides actionable steps to help them adopt new behaviors and skills.

By letting go of fear and embracing growth, women can build confidence and belief in themselves. Hollis’s message is clear: stop apologizing for wanting more and start living your best life.

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

Educated

Tara Westover’s memoir, “Educated,” tells the story of her journey from being a young girl in a survivalist family in the mountains of Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University.

Growing up, Tara’s family was so isolated from mainstream society that she did not set foot in a classroom until she was 17 years old. Her lack of education was compounded by the fact that there was no one to intervene when her older brother became violent.

However, when another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to pursue a different path. Her thirst for knowledge led her to travel across oceans and continents, eventually studying at Harvard and Cambridge University.

Despite her academic achievements, Tara still struggled with feelings of homesickness and uncertainty about her place in the world. “Educated” is a powerful testament to the transformative power of education and the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity.

Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis

Girl, Wash Your Face

Rachel Hollis’ book, “Girl, Wash Your Face” exposes twenty lies and misconceptions that often hold women back from living joyful and productive lives. She addresses real issues and provides practical strategies to help readers move past them.

Hollis encourages and entertains readers while pushing them to become the confident and joyous women they were meant to be. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to overcome self-doubt and live their best life.

Atomic Habits: A Simple Framework for Building Good Habits and Breaking Bad Ones

Atomic Habits

Atomic Habits is a bestselling book by James Clear that provides a practical framework for improving every day. With over 3 million copies sold, it offers a proven approach for forming good habits, breaking bad ones, and mastering the small behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

Clear is a leading expert on habit formation, and his strategies are based on years of research and practical experience. The book emphasizes the importance of making small, incremental changes that can add up to significant improvements over time. By focusing on the right habits and making small adjustments, readers can achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Big Magic

In her book, Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert emphasizes the importance of cultivating the right attitudes, approaches, and habits to live a creative life. By balancing spirituality with pragmatism, she encourages readers to uncover their unique talents and passions.

Whether you aspire to write a book, create art, or simply infuse your daily routine with more mindfulness and enthusiasm, Big Magic offers a world of inspiration and joy. Gilbert’s insights are valuable for anyone seeking to unleash their creativity and overcome their fears.

Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less by Michael Hyatt

Free to Focus

Michael Hyatt, a New York Times best-selling author, has developed a total productivity system that goes beyond just completing tasks quickly. This system has been used by over 25,000 professionals and has helped them achieve what matters most in both their work and personal lives.

In his book, Free to Focus, Hyatt outlines a three-step system to accomplish more while doing less. The system emphasizes identifying the right things to focus on, eliminating distractions, and executing tasks efficiently. By following this system, readers can experience increased productivity and a better work-life balance.

Hyatt’s approach is unique in that it emphasizes the importance of identifying the right tasks to focus on rather than just completing more tasks. This allows readers to achieve their goals while also avoiding burnout and overwhelm.

The Miracle Equation: Achieving Extraordinary Results

The Miracle Equation

The Miracle Equation, as described by Hal Elrod, is a simple yet effective formula for achieving extraordinary results in life. This formula involves making two key decisions: unwavering faith and extraordinary effort.

By making these decisions and taking consistent action, individuals can turn their biggest goals from possible to probable and eventually inevitable. The Miracle Equation has been praised by many, including Lewis Howes, a New York Times best-selling author who describes it as a proven formula for creating extraordinary results in life.

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

Caroline Criado Perez’s book, Invisible Women, delves into the gender data gap that exists in our modern world. The author argues that because most data is collected and analyzed through a male lens, women are often overlooked, leading to gender bias and discrimination. This gender data gap has significant consequences for women, including financial costs, time lost, and even loss of life.

The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the ways in which women are marginalized in various areas of life, including the workplace, the home, public spaces, and the healthcare system. Based on extensive research conducted in the US, the UK, and other parts of the world, the book exposes the gender data gap and its effects on women’s lives.

Invisible Women is a groundbreaking and insightful exposé that challenges readers to re-examine their assumptions about gender and data.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen R. Covey’s book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” has sold over 40 million copies and is considered the number one most influential business book of the 20th century. The book provides powerful lessons in personal change that can lead to less stress and more success.

By devoting just a few minutes each day, readers can develop the principles needed to stay proactive and positive. These principles include breaking free of old beliefs, moving toward meaningful change, and developing positive behaviors.

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What Successful People Teach Their Kids About Money

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Robert T. Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad is a compelling story of how his biological father and his best friend’s father, his “rich dad,” influenced his views on money and investing.

The book debunks the idea that a high income is necessary to become wealthy and emphasizes the difference between working for money and making your money work for you. Kiyosaki’s book is an essential read for young adults seeking to understand the fundamentals of personal finance and investing.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie’s book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” provides practical advice on how to improve relationships and communication skills. The book outlines six ways to make people like you, which include showing genuine interest in others, smiling, and remembering their name.

In addition, it provides twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking, such as avoiding arguments and admitting when you’re wrong. Finally, the book offers nine ways to change people without arousing resentment, including giving honest and sincere appreciation and emphasizing people’s strengths.

This book is a timeless classic and a great resource for anyone looking to improve their interpersonal skills.

The Happiness Project: A Year-Long Pursuit of True Contentment

The Happiness Project

Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Happiness Project, chronicles her personal journey in search of true contentment. By combining scientific research, classical philosophy, and practical applications, Rubin provides an engaging and relatable account of her transformation. The book offers readers valuable insights into the pursuit of happiness and the steps one can take to achieve it.

The Power of Regret: How Reflecting on the Past Can Help Us Move Forward

The Power of Regret

In his book, “The Power of Regret,” Daniel H. Pink argues that regret is a natural and beneficial part of the human experience. Contrary to the popular notion that we should live with “no regrets,” Pink explains that understanding our regrets can help us make better decisions and lead more fulfilling lives.

Drawing on research from social psychology, neuroscience, and biology, Pink identifies four core regrets that are universal to all individuals. These regrets offer valuable insights into how we can improve our lives and find a more meaningful path forward.

By acknowledging and reflecting on our regrets, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our actions, and use this knowledge to make more informed choices in the future. The power of regret lies in its ability to help us learn from our mistakes and move forward with greater purpose and clarity.

The Miracle Morning: A Secret to Transform Your Life Before 8 AM

The Miracle Morning

Hal Elrod’s book, “The Miracle Morning,” introduces a “not-so-obvious” secret to transform any area of your life in just six minutes a day. The book suggests that implementing a morning routine, consisting of six habits, can lead to a more fulfilling life.

These habits include silence, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading, and scribing. By practicing these habits each morning, individuals can improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The book claims that the Miracle Morning routine can lead to increased productivity, better relationships, improved health, and overall success.

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

Four Thousand Weeks

Oliver Burkeman’s book, Four Thousand Weeks, is a practical guide to time management that draws on the wisdom of ancient and modern philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers. The book encourages readers to reject the idea of “getting everything done” and instead embrace the finitude of life. Burkeman argues that many of the unhelpful ways we think about time are choices we’ve made as individuals and as a society, and that we can choose to do things differently.

Some of the tools and concepts introduced in Four Thousand Weeks include:

  • Time-blocking: setting aside specific chunks of time for certain tasks or activities
  • The importance of rest and relaxation, and the dangers of overworking
  • The idea of “enoughness” and the dangers of constantly striving for more
  • The benefits of embracing impermanence and acknowledging the fleeting nature of life

Overall, Four Thousand Weeks offers a refreshing perspective on time management that encourages readers to focus on what truly matters in life and make the most of the time they have.

The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates

The Moment of Lift

Melinda Gates, the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has spent the last two decades working to find solutions for people with the most urgent needs around the world.

Through her work, she has come to realize that empowering women is the key to lifting society up. In her book, “The Moment of Lift”, Gates explores how empowering women can change the world and create a better future for all. By lifting up women, we lift up humanity as a whole.

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

The Power of Now

The Power of Now is a spiritual guidebook that teaches readers to access inner peace by letting go of their analytical mind and ego. According to Tolle, the present moment is where true joy and self-discovery can be found.

The keys to accessing the present moment are found in the body, silence, and space around us. By embracing our true selves and realizing that we are already complete and perfect, we can experience a state of inner peace. This book offers practical tools and guidance for readers to live in the present moment and achieve spiritual enlightenment.

A Well-Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts by Therese Anne Fowler

A Well-Behaved Woman

Therese Anne Fowler’s A Well-Behaved Woman is an enthralling audiobook that tells the story of Alva Vanderbilt and her family’s dominance over New York City during the Gilded Age. Fowler creates a vivid world that showcases the stark contrast between the Vanderbilt’s immense wealth and the poverty of others.

The novel explores themes of social ambition, betrayal, and friendship, all centered around the remarkable Alva Smith Vanderbilt Belmont. This audiobook is a captivating tale of a woman who knew how to break the rules and make history.

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Greenlights is a memoir by Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey that has become a number-one New York Times Best Seller. In the book, McConaughey shares his life lessons and unconventional wisdom that have helped him live a more satisfying life.

He encourages readers to embrace the challenges and lessons of life, and to view the obstacles as opportunities to grow. McConaughey’s book also offers a guide to catching more “greenlights” in life, and to understanding that even the “yellows” and “reds” can eventually turn green. Greenlights is a must-read for anyone looking to live a more fulfilling life.

Single On Purpose: Redefine Everything. Find Yourself First. by John Kim

Single On Purpose: Redefine Everything. Find Yourself First. by John Kim

In his book, Single on Purpose, John Kim emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the relationship with oneself, regardless of whether one is single, dating, or in a relationship. Kim shares his own story of singlehood and encourages listeners to own their flaws, break their patterns, and discover a sense of self.

Kim challenges the notion that being alone equates to loneliness and highlights the need to work on oneself even when in a relationship. He advocates for intentionally spending time to cultivate a relationship with oneself, rather than waiting until a crisis hits.

The book offers a no-BS approach to self-help, providing listeners with practical advice to redefine their lives and find purpose. Kim’s message is clear: being single on purpose is not a death sentence but an opportunity to discover oneself and live a more meaningful life.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Glennon Doyle’s memoir, “Untamed,” is a New York Times Bestseller. In it, she encourages readers to trust their inner voice and find joy by letting go of societal expectations. As an activist, speaker, and best-selling author, Doyle has been dubbed the “patron saint of female empowerment” by People magazine.

Summary

Books for women in their 20s offer a wide range of topics and genres that cater to the interests and experiences of this demographic. From self-help and career advice to romance and fiction, there is no shortage of options.

Some popular titles include “The Defining Decade” by Meg Jay, “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins, and “Becoming” by Michelle Obama. These books not only provide entertainment but also serve as a source of inspiration and personal growth for young women.

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