The Art of Growing Up: Books to read in your 20s

The 20s are the time for exploring life, and relationships, and choosing your career; basically, you are in turmoil. You make mistakes, and you try to learn from them. Here are some books to read in your 20s that can be your guide.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

“I was supposed to be having the time of my life.”


― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar
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When I think about life in my 20s, The Bell Jar is a haunting classic that comes to mind. Written as a semi-autobiography by the famous poet and author Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar is about how you can have everything you want in your life, but the darkness that resides within you can make everything difficult for you.

Esther, a fashion journalist living in New York, is successful, talented, beautiful, and has a perfect life. The book goes through her breakdown, admission into a mental institute, and going into insanity. It’s a haunting tale that you can’t forget.

It’s a story that stayed with me and is definitely a 5-star read.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

“Most people go through their whole lives, without ever really feeling that close with anyone.”

― Sally Rooney , Normal People
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This is a book that I reread every year; I love it so much. Normal People is about growing up in a relationship, and Sally Rooney created such characters that every person has related to them at some point in their life. The way she portrayed mental health—falling in love and losing someone—felt so real that I ended up hating myself because of how much I could relate to the characters.

The story revolves around Connell and Marianne, who have nothing in common, but they get into a secret relationship and act like they don’t know each other. Connell is popular, and Marianne is a loner. As they transition into their college lives, things change.

I love this book so much, and it is definitely a 5-star.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

“Fondness was the best word she could think of to describe what they felt for each other. Fondness was warm but not tepid, the color of amber, more affectionate than friendship but less complicated than love.”

― Coco Mellors, Cleopatra and Frankenstein
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Certain books make you feel that everything that’s going on with you is for a reason or that you are not the only one who’s going through something. It was one of the most real books I read about human relationships. People abruptly make decisions that can change their entire lives.

Cleo is in her 20s, her student visa is expiring, and she has no money left. She meets Frank, who is twenty years older and has everything that she doesn’t. They impulsively get married, and everything goes downhill from there. Their marriage didn’t only affect them, but also everyone around them.

When I read it, I thought of giving it a 3-star rating because I absolutely hated the characters, but then I realized that I hated them because they felt so real. So basically, I ended up giving it a 4.5.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

“And we hate people for making mistakes so much more than we love them for doing good that the easiest way to live is to do nothing, say nothing, and love no one.”

― Sally Rooney, Beautiful World, Where Are You
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I don’t think I can ever hate a Sally Rooney book. She is an amazing and very promising author for this generation. The way she writes her characters is just impeccable. This was my second Sally Rooney novel, and I absolutely loved it.

The novel revolves around Alice, Felix, Eileen, and Simon and their journey of growing up, desiring each other, and figuring out life. Alice is a novelist, and she asks Felix to go to Rome with her. Eileen, Alice’s best friend, is going through a breakup and starts flirting with Simon, whom she’s known since their childhood.

This book easily sums up a person’s 20s and is a must-read. I gave it a 5.

Writers & Lovers by Lily King

“It was so awful and weird. I could see all the things I had loved about him, I could see them, but I didn’t love them anymore.”

― Lily King, Writers & Lovers
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Struggling to finish her novel while mourning her mother, this book is about feeling lost. But suddenly, Casey, the main character, finds herself in a love triangle. This book is funny and relatable, and I definitely shed a tear or two while reading it.

I gave it a 3.5 rating because I hadn’t thought about it since finishing it. Nonetheless, it was a great read, and I definitely recommend it.