At 24, I find myself looking back at a whirlwind of experiences—moments that have stretched me, broken me, and forced me to rebuild. My twenties have been anything but smooth. They've been full of doubt, growth, and learning who I really am. Through all of it, books have been the one thing I could always turn to.
Whether I was lost, heartbroken, or feeling invincible, books have always been there—guiding me, grounding me, or just giving me a place to escape when reality felt too heavy. Some have completely shifted how I see the world, while others felt like conversations with an old friend who just gets it.
Now, looking back on this rollercoaster of a decade so far, I realize just how much these stories have shaped me. They’ve been more than just words on a page—they’ve been lifelines, lessons, and sources of comfort when everything else felt uncertain. Here's a look at the books that have had the deepest impact on me as I try to make sense of life, love, and everything in between.
1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
I stumbled upon The Alchemist at a crossroads—when the future felt more like a fog than a roadmap. It became more than just a tale of a boy seeking treasure; it became a metaphor for my life’s unfolding. Coelho’s philosophy that “when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” felt like an awakening. The pursuit of dreams isn’t always linear, nor is it guaranteed. But what I took away most from this book is the quiet, powerful truth that our lives are shaped by the courage we summon to chase what our hearts truly desire.
In a world that’s often chaotic and uncertain, The Alchemist reminded me to trust the process, to trust myself, and that sometimes the greatest treasures are found not at the destination, but in the journey itself.
2. Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People didn’t just resonate with me—it cracked me wide open. In its raw exploration of intimacy, identity, and the often painful distance between people, I found pieces of my own emotional struggles reflected. The novel is about two people who keep missing each other, not because of lack of love, but because of miscommunication, fear, and vulnerability. I realized how easy it is to be trapped in our own heads, to misunderstand others, and to let insecurities sabotage connections that matter.
As someone in her twenties, still learning to communicate my own needs and desires, this book hit like a punch to the gut. It showed me the complexity of human relationships—that love is never simple, but it’s in the messiness, the confusion, and the imperfections that we often find the truest sense of connection.
3. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
This book didn’t just help me intellectually; it changed me spiritually. The Power of Now taught me a simple yet profound truth: much of our suffering comes from our inability to be present. I used to live in a mental haze, constantly worrying about what I hadn’t done or what lay ahead, and it drained me. This book gave me the tools to step back from the chaos of my thoughts and find peace in the present moment. It was a lesson in surrender—learning that by letting go of control and embracing the now, we actually gain a deeper understanding of life.
The twenties can feel like a never-ending balancing act, but this book reminded me that the only thing we truly have is the present. It’s in embracing the now that we find true freedom, something I still carry with me every day.
4. Conversations on Love by Natasha Lunn
This book hit me right where it hurts—the parts of my twenties that are messy, confusing, and often lonely. It’s not a book full of easy answers or fairy-tale endings; instead, it dives into the real, gritty stuff. Through honest conversations, it explores love in all its forms—romantic love, friendships, family, even learning how to love yourself when you’re falling apart.
In my twenties, I often find myself questioning everything about love—why it feels so elusive, why it’s sometimes more painful than beautiful, and how you’re supposed to let people in when you’re terrified of being hurt. Conversations on Love gave me the reassurance I didn’t know I needed: that love is messy for everyone. It taught me that love is about showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable, and being willing to be vulnerable, even when you’re scared.
This book made me feel seen in my rawest moments, reminding me that love is imperfect, but that doesn’t make it any less real. It helped me stop chasing the perfect relationship and instead embrace the connections that feel true—even if they don’t always look like the happily-ever-after I thought I was supposed to find. In a way, it shaped my twenties by helping me realize that love isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about growing, stumbling, and trying again.
5. The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
This book was a wake-up call. While many people say your twenties are for carefree exploration, Meg Jay’s The Defining Decade pushed me to see these years as foundational. Jay emphasizes how the choices we make in our twenties impact the rest of our lives. It’s not about creating pressure, but rather understanding the importance of this time for setting the stage for the future. From career advice to relationships, this book gave me the tools to be more intentional with how I navigate this decade.
Your twenties are a time of exploration, mistakes, growth, and self-discovery. For me, these books have been more than just stories—they’ve been guides, friends, and teachers through this journey. Whether it’s helping me navigate personal challenges or opening my eyes to new perspectives, each one has left its mark on who I am today. I can't wait to see what the next chapter of my life—and my bookshelf—holds.
6. The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
This book was a revelation for me. The Untethered Soul dives deep into the nature of consciousness and offers a profound perspective on how we can liberate ourselves from the prison of our own minds. Singer’s exploration of how we attach our identity to thoughts, emotions, and experiences felt deeply relevant in my twenties, a time when I was constantly questioning my place in the world. The book challenged me to let go of the stories I was telling myself—about who I should be, how I should live—and instead embrace the boundless nature of my true self. It was a transformative lesson in inner freedom and peace, reminding me that my soul is not tethered to my fears or insecurities, but is something far greater and more expansive.
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