I wouldn't be where I am today without several of the books on my shelf. And that'southward not a dramatic, over-the-top statement from an obsessed bookworm (fifty-fifty though I ofttimes am a dramatic and over-the-peak obsessed bookworm).

From a couple of self-aid books, to some hilarious memoirs, to a book that's literally about how to make the most of your twenties, there are a few titles on my super fancy bookshelf (as in, the i I bought on sale at Target and so forced my husband to put together), that literally changed the form of my twenties and inspired me to make some huge career moves that I would take never had the courage (or insight) to make otherwise.

Below I've listed fifteen of the most treasured books that have guided, encouraged, and comforted me throughout my twenties, with the hopes that fifty-fifty just one of them adds some goodness to your life in one way or another.

Hana Schank and Elizabeth Wallace

The Ambition Decisions

I'k sure this book is an incredible read during whatsoever function of your twenties, just I felt information technology particularly helpful, informative, and even life-changing to read as a adult female in her late twenties. Authors Schank and Wallace interviewed multiple female person classmates from their fourth dimension at Northwestern and so put together and mapped out information throughout the book based on existent women's lives in various categories – including career, ambition, marriage, parenting, and economics. What I particularly loved about this volume is that it's encouraging and relatable to women on all sorts of paths — from women who are solely focused on their careers, to women who are full-time mothers, to the ones who are doing both. Best of all, they talk over all of this while being completely judgment-free.

Angela Duckworth

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

I've read this book at least three times, and each fourth dimension I stop it, I'thou inspired and invigorated all over once more. In this book, Duckworth writes about the ability of passion and perseverance over talent. Grit contains research on and interviews with dozens of high achievers — including the CEO of JP Morgan, the New Yorker cartoon editor, and the coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Reading this volume will remind you — or prove to you — that committing to your passion is and then much more important than having innate talent.

Jessi Klein

You'll Abound Out of It

Written by the head writer of Inside Amy Schumer, this is a hilarious memoir with laugh-out-loud essays most Klein's experience as a modern adult female in America. What I found most moving about this memoir, though, was her openness and honesty with her struggle to get pregnant. Although I'm non currently trying to start a family, I know I'd like to have one someday, and I institute Klein'due south frankness about fertility to exist incredibly refreshing. I know I will look to this volume as a source of comfort again downward the route.

Brené Chocolate-brown

Daring Greatly

Read this book, read this book, read this book! It's a heartwarming, well-written, and insightful book nearly the power of vulnerability and how it's actually a huge measure of backbone, as opposed to a weakness that we should exist aback of. Brown wrote this volume after coming off of twelve years of unprecedented inquiry in the area, and her book volition assist you lot empathize that information technology's okay – even more than than okay – to feel lost, insecure, and vulnerable (which is an especially reassuring concept to be told during the unstable time that is your twenties).

Michelle Markowitz and Caroline Moss

Hey Ladies!

To be honest, there'south nothing about this book that'south going to alter your life or plow your twenties upside down for the improve; merely, it's hilarious, clever, and bizarrely relatable even amidst all the insane and exaggerated jokes. Told entirely through a list of chain emails and text messages, this satire tells the story of eight xx-something friends in the twelvemonth leading up to one friend'southward hymeneals. Fifty-fifty though I've been lucky enough to be a bridesmaid in weddings with incredibly chill brides, I still plant this book admittedly poignant, true to life, and ridiculously funny.

Anne Lamott

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

This is some other book that I've read a few times, and will probably continue to do so throughout my life. Though writers in particular volition admittedly love this volume, the wisdom and truthfulness that Lamott shares is helpful and impactful for anyone. The greatest affair I learned from it is to take things i solar day at a time and to treat life with patience, and I can't imagine better advice to exist given in your twenties.

Mark Manson

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

This is the only book on the listing written past a man, and I swear that was completely unintentional (women are just super fantastic awesome writers — it's not my mistake). I take read Mark Manson'south weblog for a while, and discover that both his blog and his book are full of the bluntness and straightforwardness that are missing in a lot of self-help books. Now, I'thou all about the types of self-assistance books that are filled with gentle and compassionate encouragement, and I've even included a couple in this listing, but I besides think it's important to read something every once in a while that sounds similar tough love coming from a sibling or best friend, and this volume is exactly that. It helped me accost a lot of different stress-inducing aspects of my life, and I hope it does the aforementioned for you lot.

Roxanne Gay

Bad Feminist

At that place's a reason people are constantly talking well-nigh or referring to Roxanne Gay'due south writing — it's because she's an intelligent and idea-provoking writer, and Bad Feminist is no exception. In a moving collection of essays, Gay covers everything from pop culture, to growing upwards female, to a very funny essay about her experience every bit a beginner in a Scrabble tournament. But what I found most illuminating from this volume was when Gay wrote almost her experiences as a woman of colour. As someone who comes from a privileged background, I found her perspective to be seriously middle-opening nigh the things that I frequently take for granted, and I recollect that'due south an incredibly important lesson to acquire no thing what historic period you are.

Jennifer Close

Girls in White Dresses

Other than Hey Ladies!, this is the but other fiction book I included on the list, more often than not considering Shut writes in such a natural and organic mode that information technology frequently felt similar I was merely reading someone'southward memoir or a book of essays. Each affiliate of this book takes on a unlike protagonist from a group of college friends, and follows them as they move throughout their twenties and undergo the sometimes exhilarating and sometimes painful aspects of dating, moving upwards (or downward) in their careers, and watching as they modify with, or away from their friends. Reading this book felt like I was momentarily stepping out of my ain brain and jumping into that of ane of my friend'southward, which in plow made me feel both comforted and reassured.

Elizabeth Gilbert

Big Magic

I honestly admire this volume, and information technology's another inspiring one that I plan to read several times over. Gilbert writes about her own experiences and interesting perspectives on inventiveness, simply not in a way where it'due south only useful to writers, actors, and the like. Rather, information technology'south a heartening and uplifting book about how anyone tin can live a creative and fascinating life — from lawyers, to doctors, to authoritative workers, to someone in-between careers. I felt especially moved by this book because it taught me how to encompass the things that I honey and the things that bring me joy, instead of feeling the need to apologize for them.

Cat Marnell

How to Murder Your Life

Fair warning: this volume might be a bit triggering, especially to anyone who has or continues to suffer from addiction or mental wellness issues. Marnell writes openly and vulnerably about her habit to prescription drugs, her experiences with an eating disorder, and her struggle with insomnia. Marnell details her glamorous New York lifestyle and her seemingly successful career in fashion, all while simultaneously discussing the dark things she was suffering from in secret. I found it to be an heart-opening way of remembering that at that place are so many layers to the people effectually u.s.a., and information technology was an important reminder to be empathetic and empathetic, every bit y'all never know what someone is suffering from behind the scenes.

Rebecca Traister

All the Single Ladies: Single Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation

This is simply a fascinating book about the development of feminism, the history of unmarried women in America, and how the life of the single American woman has changed over the last several decades. It covers everything from class, to race, to sexual orientation, and I think it'due south an incredibly important book for whatsoever woman to read in club to aid the states better understand where we used to be and how far we've come.

Ariel Levy

The Rules Practise Non Utilize

I read this memoir almost a year ago, but I found it so deeply personal and moving that I even so think about it on a regular basis. Levy, a staff writer at The New Yorker, gave us a volume that was raw, compelling, and impactful, and the way she deals with unbelievable heartbreak should be a source of inspiration to any woman (or man) who comes across her story.

Jen Sincero

You Are a Badass

And so, to be honest, I plant this book to be a tiny bit corny and overly self-helpy, simply that's also ane of the reasons why I enjoyed it so much. It's just a feel-skillful volume filled with real stories, helpful and honest insights, and some pretty relatable chapter titles like "Your Brain is Your Bitch." It'southward a great fashion to feel more uplifted and to requite yourself some guidance when you're feeling lost.

Meg Jay

The Defining Decade

Although it'due south not necessarily better than whatever of the other books on this list, I volition say that The Defining Decade is probably the virtually impactful book I've read in the concluding six years — peculiarly in relation to how I take lived and continue to live out my twenties. Jay, a clinical psychologist, writes a very convincing and informational book most why your xx-something years are so crucial, and how it's never too late to turn them around, fifty-fifty if y'all're feeling completely lost and overwhelmed. This book completely changed the way I idea virtually my career and the path I was on, and I would recommend it to any woman who was looking for one unmarried volume that might drastically modify her life upon reading it.