I deeply believe that reading is essential for personal growth. But honestly, I didn’t always feel this way. I cultivated the habit of reading pretty late in life.

It all started in my sophomore year, when I casually read random answers on Quora. Slowly, I moved to self-help books, and eventually, I fell in love with reading.

The thought that “you can learn anything you want to” is so liberating. Our brain is just like a muscle — the more we use it, the stronger it gets. The less we use it, the weaker it becomes.

👉 What lifting dumbbells does to your arms, reading books (or solving problems) does to your brain.

In this blog, I’m sharing 10 must-read books for your 20s (in no particular order).

1. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson

A humor-filled yet thought-provoking book that reminds us not to overreact to everything in life. It’s okay not to win every time. A refreshing read that challenges our traditional views of success.

2. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

A short, inspiring novel about dreams, destiny, and the magic of believing in your goals. It beautifully conveys that when you truly want something, the universe conspires to help you achieve it.

3. Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl

A powerful memoir by Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl. Despite facing unimaginable suffering, he found meaning in life. This book gives clarity and perspective, especially for young adults in their 20s.

4. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

A timeless classic on building genuine relationships, improving communication, and influencing people positively. A must-read for anyone entering the professional world.

5. Linchpin – Seth Godin

Seth Godin encourages you to become indispensable at work by thinking differently. Instead of being just another “cog in the machine,” you can become a true linchpin who makes a difference.

6. Start With Why – Simon Sinek

A business classic that shows how great leaders inspire action. The “Golden Circle” framework (Why → How → What) applies to everything in life — from careers to relationships.

7. Mindset – Carol Dweck

One of my personal favorites. It explains the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. If you want to achieve long-term success, adopting a growth mindset is the key.

8. A Short History of Nearly Everything – Bill Bryson

An engaging non-fiction book that takes you on a journey from the Big Bang to the present. Complex scientific concepts are explained in an easy, fascinating way.

9. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind – Yuval Noah Harari

A masterpiece that explores how humans evolved, how money and religion began, and where our species is headed. If you want to understand human civilization, this is a must-read.

10. Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki

A personal finance classic that explains money in the simplest way possible. Most of us never learn financial literacy from school or parents — this book fills that gap perfectly.

Final Thought

So, which of these have you read already? And which book do you think I missed? Drop your recommendations in the comments below 👇

✨ If you enjoy content that helps you grow in life, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive insights!