20 Books That Make You A Better Twentysomething

    Every day I read so I can succeed.

    Antwaun Sargent
    by Antwaun Sargent

    BuzzFeed Fellow

    1. The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood

    McClelland and Stewart

    Why it's bettering: Learn the importance of not getting too caught up with material things.

    2. The Defining Decade, by Meg Jay

    Grand Central Publishing

    Why it's bettering: Figure out how to make your twenties matter and go after what you want. Watch her TED talk here.

    3. Man's Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl

    Beacon Press

    Why it's bettering: Reading about Viktor Frankl's life as a Holocaust survivor will help you figure out what matters in life.

    4. Every book Malcolm Galdwell wrote ever.

    Little, Brown and Company

    Why it's bettering: Read these if you want to reconsider how every day things like success, business, and coolness work.

    5. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, by Deepak Chopra

    New World Library / Amber-Allen Publishing

    Why it's bettering: Seven simple tips to being a better person (Chopra wants you to chill out and accept the present as a gift).

    6. The Joy of Sex, by Alex Comfort

    Crown Publishing Group

    Why it's bettering: It's like a detailed cookbook of sex.

    7. The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg

    Random House
    Random House

    Why it's bettering: Learn how you can hack your life and make habits that work.

    8. Men We Reaped, by Jesmyn Ward

    Bloomsbury

    Why it's bettering: Men We Reaped makes you appreciate all the things you take for granted.

    9. Franklin and Winston, by Jon Meacham

    Random House

    Why it's bettering: Learn more about the decisions that shaped how the world operates today.

    10. The Philosophy of Andy Warhol, by Andy Warhol

    Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

    Why it's bettering: Get a glimpse into one of the most creative minds of the last 50 years.

    11. I Am Your Sister, by Audre Lorde

    Oxford University Press

    Why it's bettering: Audre Lorde will encourage you to speak up for yourself.

    12. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz

    Penguin Books

    Why it's bettering: Oscar Wao's life shows how you can make the most of being an outsider.

    13. The Bell Jar by Silvia Plath

    Fox / Via lisasimpsonbookclub.tumblr.com

    Why it's bettering: This is a nod to not neglecting your mental well-being.

    14. Blankets by Craig Thompson

    Top Shelf
    Top Shelf

    Why it's bettering: Get some tips about living life responsibly as a young adult (it is also very visually pleasing).

    15. The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin

    Dial Press

    Why it's bettering: Get a fuller picture of how racism played a role in shaping America.

    16. Discipline and Punish, by Michel Foucault

    Gallimard

    Why it's bettering: See how the prison system affects the way you live your life.

    17. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon

    Random House Publishing

    Why it's bettering: Show how following your passions leads to happiness.

    18. Gender Trouble, by Judith Butler

    Routledge

    Why it's bettering: Get a better understanding of how you could express your gender.

    19. The Queer Art of Failure, by Judith Halberstam

    Duke University Press

    Why it's bettering: Figure out what kind of success you want out of life.

    20. How I Got to Be Perfect, by Jean Kerr

    Fawcett

    Why it's bettering: See how things are easier if you find a way to laugh at them.