The 5 Best Books to Read in Your 30s have a variety of genres and themes. Topics range from life challenges to how to conquer them. Other books dive into the factors contributing to success, emphasizing the importance of work.
Other topics on the 5 Best Books to Read in Your 30s include the story of a sexual assault victim who found her voice and became a powerful voice for change. Books on this top 5 list also explore the complexities of women’s identity, sexuality, and independence. Finally, a short story collection of masterful storytelling talks about human relationships and the realities of everyday life.
5 Best Books to Read in Your 30s!
#1. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
The Year of Magical Thinking is a memoir by Joan Didion. It talks about the year following the death of her husband. The book recounts her experiences after the death of her husband in 2003. The book’s title refers to Magical thinking in that if you hope for something long enough, or you perform correct actions, an unavoidable situation can be averted.
Joan shares her own experience in grieving. She is haunted by questions about the medical details of her husband’s death and how she could have made her remaining time here more meaningful. His daughter has continuous health problems, and hospitalization continues to interrupt her ability to go through the course of grief naturally. An extraordinary memoir!
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Outliners examine a person’s environment and personal drive to achieve their potential for success. He talks about the success of lawyers and questions why they are always the same corporate lawyer when, in fact, they all have the same biography.
He says that just because someone isn’t worth 60 billion dollars, but is bright and ambitious, does not mean they are less ambitious. In this book, he digs deeper to explain better who is “really smart” and who is “really ambitious”. We are on our way based on our passion for our careers.
3. Know My Name by Chanel Miller
Chanel Miller was sexually assaulted on the campus of Stanford University in January 2015 by Brock Allen Turner. The following year, her victim impact statement went viral and, after being published online, received 11 million views within 4 days.
She was referred to as “Emily Doe” in court documents. In 2019, she relinquished her identity and released her memoir” Know My Name”. She is credited with sparking national discussion in the U.S. about the treatment of sexual assault cases and victims by college campuses and court systems. Currently, she addresses these topics as a public speaker.
4. The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
This book, written in 1949 by the French Existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, discusses the treatment of women in society and throughout history. Simone researched and wrote the book in 14 months between 1946 and 1949.
The Vatican banned the Second Sex. It is regarded as a groundbreaking work of feminist philosophy and was known as the starting wave of inspiration for women worldwide. She published her book in two volumes: “Facts and Myths” and “Lived Experience”.
5. Open Secrets by Alice Munro
Last but not least, on the 5 Best Books to Read in Your 30s is a book of short story collections. Eight tales in this book evoke the devastating power of old love recollected. She tells stories of vanished schoolgirls and indentured frontier brides.
Her book was nominated for the 1994 Governor General’s Award for English fiction. The Edmonton Journal called it “the best Canadian book of 1994.” It is still popular today! That rounds out the 5 Best Books to Read in Your 30s! Explore and enjoy!