The best books carry the power to transport, inspire, and educate their readers. Everyone has an indisputable list of what they consider “the best”. It may be a book read in high school, or college, or something discovered while strolling through a bookstore. Sometimes books find us later in life when we could have learned valuable lessons from them sooner. In this article, we’ll explore 5 best books everyone should read in their 20s.
#1 The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby delves into tantalizing themes of wealth, identity, disillusionment, self-discovery, and ambition. These powerful self-identifying themes apply to most of our lives in our 20s. And it doesn’t hurt that this is some of the most eloquently written language ever put to paper. If you’ve ever wanted a deeper glimpse into the immoral corruption of the American Dream or how greed and obsession can wholly dismantle a man’s essence, pick up a copy of The Great Gatsby; it won’t disappoint. Not only is it applicable to those in their 20s, but it’s one of the best books ever written.
#2 The Alchemist
On a more inspirational note, we have The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. Coelho urges his readers to follow their dreams and find purpose, even if it isn’t lucrative, making this a must-read for anyone searching for meaning in their 20s. With themes of self-empowerment, discovery, and persistence, The Alchemist‘s potency is most effective in our 20s. Definitely, one of the best books to go for.
#3 Fahrenheit 451
Dystopia is closer to reality than we may often think. Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 makes that glaringly apparent. Riddled with Orwellian themes of censorship, conformity, and reliance on technology, Fahrenheit 451 is one of the best books to read in our 20s. In our 20s, we’re discovering who we are as individuals, but in Bradbury’s fictional world, there’s a severe price for this discovery. Aside from George Orwell’s 1984, this is the best book for anyone curious about how a society might function under the rule of a manipulative, Totalitarian Government.
#4 The Sun Also Rises
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway was his debut novel following WWI. At the time of its publication, this novel was known as the quintessential story of the “Lost Generation,” a generation of whom Hemingway was a part. The story extensively covers themes of disillusionment, purpose, identity, relationships, and existentialism. Hemingway’s use of these themes is heavy but relatable for many in their 20s.
#5 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
On a more whimsical note, but no less impactful, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber is essential for anyone in their 20s. While similar on the surface to The Alchemist, Thurber focuses more on the daily monotonous struggles of an unfulfilled life. It’s less of a journey and more of an internal awakening. It’s about finding a way to escape the mundane while facing an unremarkable existence, an egregious conflict often spawned in our 20s.
Final Thoughts
For lack of a better expression, sometimes the best books find us before we find them. The right book at the right time can spark a valuable change or make an indelible impression in someone’s life.
