The Best 20 Adulting Books to Read in Your 20s

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Navigating life can be daunting as a young adult, but good news! This list of books is here to illuminate your way through the challenges of your twenties.

Whether you're striving to be a better adult or just a better person, each adulting book offers valuable insights to help you make a real impact in this pivotal season of life.

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Here’s my top 20:

Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown
The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss with Tahl Raz
Ego is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Mindset by Carol Dweck
The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
The One Thing by Gary W. Keller with Jay Papasan
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Your Turn by Julie Lythcott-Haims
Am I Overthinking This? by Michelle Rial
Quarter Life by Satya Doyle Byock
How to Ruin Your Life By 30 by Steve Farrar
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

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The Best Books On Adulting

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1. Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown

Learn the ropes of adult life with a witty and humorous practical guide that breaks down the complexities of "adulting" into manageable steps. From doing laundry to managing finances, this book offers advice and relatable anecdotes to help you navigate the challenges of adulthood with ease. With its down-to-earth approach and hilarious insights, it's like having your best friend by your side as you tackle the ups and downs of grown-up life.

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2. The Defining Decade by Meg Jay

Discover the power of your twenties in shaping your future with insights from clinical psychologist Meg Jay. This book explores the pivotal decade of your twenties, offering actionable advice on making the most of this critical season of life. Whether you're grappling with career decisions, relationships, or personal growth, The Defining Decade provides invaluable guidance to help you lay the groundwork for a fulfilling adulthood.

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3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Unlock the secrets to personal and professional success with Stephen Covey's timeless bestseller. This book outlines seven essential habits that can transform your life and help you become more effective in both your personal and professional endeavors. From prioritizing tasks to fostering meaningful relationships, Covey's insights offer practical strategies for navigating the complexities of adult life with confidence and purpose.

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4. I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

Take control of your finances and build wealth with Ramit Sethi's no-nonsense approach to personal finance. In this essential guide, Sethi shares actionable strategies for managing money, investing wisely, and achieving financial freedom. Whether you're a recent college graduate or a seasoned professional, this book provides the tools and knowledge you need to take charge of your financial future and live life on your own terms.

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5. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Transform your habits and achieve lasting change with insights from James Clear's groundbreaking book. Atomic Habits explores the science of habit formation and offers practical techniques for building good habits and breaking bad ones. With Clear's clear and concise writing style, this book provides actionable advice to help you create positive changes in your life and become the best version of yourself.

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6. Deep Work by Cal Newport

Unleash your productivity and focus with Cal Newport's guide to "deep work." This book explores the importance of concentrated, undistracted work in a world filled with constant distractions. Newport provides practical strategies for cultivating deep work habits, allowing you to accomplish more in less time and achieve your goals with greater efficiency.

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7. Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss with Tahl Raz

Master the art of negotiation with insights from former FBI hostage negotiator Christopher Voss. In this book, Voss shares proven techniques for navigating difficult conversations and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. Whether you're negotiating a salary or resolving conflicts in your personal life, Never Split the Difference offers valuable lessons on communication and persuasion.

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8. Ego is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday

Overcome the obstacles of ego and embrace humility with Ryan Holiday's powerful book. Ego Is the Enemy explores the destructive effects of ego on success and offers strategies for overcoming its pitfalls. Through real-life examples and timeless wisdom, Holiday teaches readers how to cultivate resilience, focus on what truly matters, and achieve lasting success in both personal and professional endeavors.

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9. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Discover the keys to personal freedom and happiness with Don Miguel Ruiz's guide to living a fulfilling life. The Four Agreements presents a code of conduct based on ancient Toltec wisdom, offering principles for living with integrity and authenticity. By embracing these agreements, readers can break free from self-limiting beliefs and transform their lives for the better.

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**10. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson**

Embrace a counterintuitive approach to happiness and self-improvement with Mark Manson's unconventional guide. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to focus on what truly matters in life. With its irreverent humor and refreshing honesty, this book offers practical advice for living a more authentic and fulfilling life.

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11. Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Delve into the psychology behind money and financial decision-making with Morgan Housel's insightful book. Psychology of Money explores the behavioral biases that influence our financial choices, offering valuable lessons for managing money wisely. Through engaging stories and practical advice, Housel provides readers with a deeper understanding of their relationship with money and how to make smarter financial decisions.

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12. Mindset by Carol Dweck

Unlock the power of a growth mindset and unleash your full potential with Carol Dweck's transformative book. Mindset explores the difference between a fixed mindset, which holds you back, and a growth mindset, which empowers you to thrive. With Dweck's research-backed insights and actionable strategies, readers can cultivate a mindset that fosters resilience, learning, and personal growth in all areas of life.

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13. The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington

Supercharge your productivity and achieve your goals faster with The 12 Week Year's revolutionary approach to time management. This book challenges the traditional annual goal-setting model, advocating for shorter, more focused goal cycles. Through practical techniques and actionable advice, Moran and Lennington show readers how to increase their effectiveness, accomplish more in less time, and create lasting success.

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14. The One Thing by Gary W. Keller with Jay Papasan

Simplify your life and achieve extraordinary results by focusing on "The One Thing" that matters most. Keller and Papasan's book emphasizes the power of prioritization and concentration in achieving success. By identifying and focusing on their one important thing, readers can overcome distractions, increase productivity, and make significant progress toward their goals.

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15. Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Embrace the art of essentialism and eliminate the non-essentials to lead a more fulfilling life. Essentialism offers a refreshing perspective on productivity and prioritization, urging readers to focus on what truly matters. With McKeown's practical guidance, readers can learn to say no to distractions, simplify their adult lives, and make more meaningful contributions in their personal and professional endeavors.

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16. Your Turn by Julie Lythcott-Haims

Empower yourself to embrace authenticity and pursue your passions with Julie Lythcott-Haims' inspiring book. Your Turn encourages readers to step into their own power, take ownership of their lives, and pursue their dreams with confidence. With personal anecdotes and practical advice, author Julie Lythcott-Haims inspires readers to live a more authentic adulthood and make a positive impact on the world around them.

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17. Am I Overthinking This? by Michelle Rial

Explore the quirky world of overthinking and find humor in life's everyday absurdities with Michelle Rial's delightful book. Am I Overthinking This? offers a lighthearted look at the thoughts and worries that plague us all, providing comic relief and reassurance that you're not alone. With Rial's witty illustrations and humorous observations, readers can laugh off their worries and embrace a more relaxed approach to life.

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18. Quarter Life by Satya Doyle Byock

Navigate the challenges of your twenties and find direction in the midst of uncertainty with Satya Doyle Byock's insightful book. Quarter Life offers practical advice and empathetic guidance for young adults experiencing a quarter-life crisis. Through personal stories and actionable strategies, Byock empowers readers to embrace the complex emotions of this transformative season of life and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever.

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19. How to Ruin Your Life By 30 by Steve Farrar

Avoid common pitfalls and set yourself up for success with Steve Farrar's candid and humorous book. How to Ruin Your Life By 30 offers tongue-in-cheek advice on what not to do in your twenties, from avoiding excessive debt to steering clear of toxic relationships. With Farrar's witty insights and practical wisdom, readers can learn from the mistakes of others and chart a course toward a successful adulting journey.

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20. The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

Turn obstacles into opportunities and embrace the challenges of life with Ryan Holiday's timeless book. The Obstacle is the Way draws on the wisdom of ancient Stoic philosophy to help readers overcome adversity and find meaning in difficult situations. With Holiday's practical advice and inspirational anecdotes, readers can learn to navigate the stormy sea of adulthood with resilience, courage, and grace.

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Remember

Beginning the journey into adulthood means facing many challenges, and these are some of the best books that offer helpful advice to assist you.

But it's crucial to understand that just learning isn't enough—you must take action too. Without putting what you've learned into practice, you won't gain the basic life skills you need to thrive on your own in the real world.

To truly benefit from these insights, it's essential to take action and implement what you've learned.

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Here's how you can make the most of these books :

Take Action: Don't just read these books; apply their lessons to your daily life.
Start Small: Begin with two or three books and focus on implementing their teachings.
Create a Plan: Develop a personalized action plan to build the habits and skills necessary for self-sufficiency.
Embrace Sustainable Habits: Start with small, sustainable changes that you can maintain over time.
Transform Yourself: As you grow and become more self-sufficient, you'll not only improve your own life but also have a positive impact on the lives of those around you.

So, pick up a book or two to start and make a plan that leads to a brighter, more fulfilling future.

And don't forget to subscribe to our blog for more insights, tips, and inspiration on your journey to adulthood.

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▶️ Introduction

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📚 20 Adulting Books to Read in Your 20s

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🏁 Conclusion

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