15 Must-Read Books for Women in Their 20s to Level Up Your Life!

Last Updated October 31, 2024 by Davina Kelly

In your 20s, life feels like a whirlwind of possibility and uncertainty – what if the right books for women in their 20s could be your guide through it all?

Your 20s can feel like a roller coaster. It’s the decade where you’re figuring out who you are, what you want, and how to navigate life’s endless challenges. 

I love to read and books have been a great source of inspiration, motivation and guidance for me. If you’re a woman in your 20s looking to build the best version of yourself, these books will help you along the way. 

In this post, I’m going to share the must-read books for women in their 20s that cover everything from mindset shifts to financial literacy and personal growth. I’ve read each of these books myself, so I’ll be sharing my personal insights and honest opinions.

After reading this post you’ll have the top 15 books every woman should read.

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15 Best Books for Women in Their 20s:

1. Girl Boss by Sophia Amoruso

Favourite Quote: “Learn to create your own opportunities. Know that there is no finish line, fortune favours action.”

Girl Boss is a story about how Sophia Amoruso went from dumpster diving and selling clothes on eBay to building a fashion empire with Nasty Gal. 

Throughout the book, you’ll witness how Sophia navigates the highs and lows of her journey, staying resilient and ultimately carving out her path to success.

If you’re thinking about being an entrepreneur or building something of your own, Girl Boss will light a fire in you. It’s an empowering read that reminds you that success doesn’t come from following the rules – it comes from forging your own path. 

Key Takeaway: Life isn’t always pretty but if you can get through the challenging times and own who you are, you will figure things out.  

2. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Favourite Quote: “You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day.”

Eat Pray Love is a memoir about Elizabeth Gilbert’s journey through Italy, India and Indonesia and a beautiful exploration of self-discovery, healing and finding balance. 

I watched the movie first and loved it so much that I immediately bought the book. I read it during a time when I felt unfulfilled and unsure of my next steps, and it inspired me to step outside my comfort zone and pursue what truly makes me happy.

If you’re feeling a little stuck in life, this book is a great read. It will remind you that it’s okay to take a step back, reevaluate and find what truly makes you happy – even if it means breaking away from the norm.

Key Takeaway: Follow your bliss and love yourself unconditionally.

3. The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah

Favourite Quote: “Don’t ever think that the world owes you anything, it doesn’t.”

The Coldest Winter Ever is a novel about Winter Santiaga, the daughter of a notorious drug dealer and how she navigates life after her family falls apart. It’s raw, intense and a powerful take on survival, ambition and self-worth. 

I don’t usually read Fiction books but this was highly recommended and it did not disappoint! I could not put the book down or stop talking about it lol 

This book is such a good read. It’ll teach you hard lessons about choices and consequences. It’s also a great story about resilience and learning from life’s toughest moments. 

Key Takeaway: Things can fall apart and sometimes that’s when you’ll find out how strong you really are. 

4. He’s Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo

Favourite Quote: “If a guy wants to be with a girl, he will make it happen, no matter what.”

He’s Just Not That Into You is the ultimate wake-up call for anyone stuck in a relationship that’s going nowhere. It’s actually based on a popular episode of Sex and the City and bluntly tells women to stop wasting their time on men who aren’t fully invested. 

I also watched the film first and then bought the book. I read it while navigating the ups and downs of dating, and it was the reality check I needed. 

This book should be required reading for all women in their 20s because it simplifies relationships in a way that’s easy to understand.

If you’ve ever been confused by mixed signals, this is a must-read. It’s a powerful reminder to value yourself and never settle for someone who isn’t giving you their best.

Key Takeaway: Don’t ever settle for less than you’re worth.

5. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Favourite Quote: “The rich don’t work for money, they make money work for them.”

Rich Dad Poor Dad is a classic personal finance book that highlights the contrasting financial philosophies of Roberts’ two dads – his biological father (poor dad) and the father of his best friend (rich dad). 

If you want to learn about money and how to build wealth this book is a must-read. It will completely change your money mindset. 

This was the first personal finance book I read and it completely changed my perspective. Before I read this book I was solely focused on making money through my 9 -5, now I have built passive income streams and made my money work for me. 

This book isn’t for everyone. But even if you don’t agree with everything Roberts says, you can still learn valuable lessons about money. It’ll teach you how to make money work for you and start thinking like an investor, not just an employee. 

Key Takeaway: Whether you want to be an entrepreneur or an employee you can be financially independent. 

Related: 10 Best Money Mindset Books

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

Favourite Quote: “The single most important factor for getting rich is getting started, not being the smartest person in the room.”

I Will Teach You to Be Rich is a straightforward guide to managing your money, paying off debt and building wealth without living on ramen noodles. It’s packed full of advice for young adults. 

Financial literacy is crucial, especially in your 20s and this book is the perfect starting point. Sethi’s no-BS approach will help you make smart money moves and build a solid foundation for your future. 

Key Takeaway: If you can build healthy money habits now, you’ll set yourself up for success in the future. 

Self Help Books for Women in Their 20s

7. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite Quote: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”

The Alchemist is a timeless classic book all about following your dreams. The book takes you on a journey with Santiago, a shepherd boy who dreams of finding a hidden treasure. But the real treasure is the lessons he learns along the way about life, love and the pursuit of purpose. 

This is my favourite book of all time! It’s the first self-help book I ever read and it laid the foundation for my understanding of spirituality and the laws of the universe.

If you’re in your 20s and feeling a little lost, this book will remind you to follow your heart. It’s a powerful metaphor for pursuing your personal legend – whatever that may be. 

Whether you’re searching for meaning in your career, relationships or life goals, this story teaches you to trust the journey even when things get tough. 

Key Takeaway: Always listen to your intuition and trust the process. The universe is on your side. 

8. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

Favourite Quote: “You are perfect. To think anything else is as pointless as a river thinking that it’s got too many curves or that it moves too slowly”

You Are a Badass is all about getting out of your own way, ditching self-sabotage and stepping into your power. It’s filled with humour, straight talk and practical advice on how to win in every area of your life.  I used to read this book on my commute to work and I’d often catch myself laughing out loud. 

If you’ve been feeling stuck or need a confidence boost, this book is like a pep talk from your best friend. It’s a great reminder that you are capable of achieving incredible things if you stop letting fear and self-doubt hold you back. 

Key Takeaway: Self-love is the best love. Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve your goals. 

9. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Favourite Quote: “Your thoughts become things.”

The Secret is a great book that brought the concept of the law of attraction into the mainstream: what you focus on, you attract. It explains how positive thinking, visualisation and self-belief can help manifest the life you desire.

It’s one of the best self help books for women in their 20s. The first time I read it, the teachings felt a bit unrealistic and went over my head. But after reading The Alchemist I re-read it and it resonated with me because I was ready to receive it. 

As you’re setting the foundation for your future in your 20s, it’s crucial to cultivate a mindset that empowers you. If you’re not happy with where you are in life, this book can help you shift your thinking, visualise the life of your dreams and make it a reality. 

Key Takeaway: The things you focus on expand so choose your thoughts wisely.

10. The 4 Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Favourite Quote: “Always do your best.”

The 4 Agreements is a powerful book that offers a code of conduct based on Toltec wisdom. Each of the four agreements helps you break limiting beliefs and live a life of greater freedom and happiness. 

Learning the second agreement, “Don’t take anything personally,” was a game changer for me. It completely freed me from caring about what others say or think about me.

This book is a quick read but is packed with valuable information to help you improve your life. It gives you simple but profound rules to live by that can reduce unnecessary drama and help you focus on what truly matters. 

Key Takeaway: Everyone lives in their own world and what they say and do is about them, not you. 

11. The Obstacle is The Way by Ryan Holiday

Favourite Quote: “The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.”

The Obstacle is the Way is a great book rooted in stoic philosophy and teaches that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Ryan Holiday (who was actually Robert Greene’s apprentice) breaks down how to transform obstacles into opportunities through mindset shifts and perseverance. 

Life in your 20s can often feel like one challenge after another, but shifting your perspective can change everything. This book helps you reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth and builds the resilience you need to thrive.

Key Takeaway: Don’t be defeated by life’s challenges, always look for the lessons. 

12. Mastery by Robert Greene

Favourite Quote: “The future belongs to those who learn skills and combine them in creative ways.”

Mastery is an insightful book that explores how anyone can achieve greatness by studying those who have reached the top of their fields. 

Robert Greene dives into the lives of historical figures, breaks down what made them so exceptional and outlines the steps to mastering any craft. He’s one of my favourite authors because he blends history with valuable lessons which makes learning more engaging.  

Your 20s are the perfect time to invest in learning and honing your skills. This book teaches you the importance of patience, discipline and putting in the work to become truly excellent at whatever you choose to pursue. 

Key Takeaway: Don’t just be good, be great at whatever you decide to do in life. It will require a lot of discipline and hard work but the payoff is worth it.  

13. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Favourite Quote: “You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.”

Atomic Habits is a great self help book for women in their 20s. It’s all about the power of small changes and how they compound over time. James Clear breaks down how to build good habits and break bad ones using actionable strategies. 

Your habits play a crucial role in shaping your life. They can either set you up for success or lead to failure, so understanding how to build positive habits is key to achieving your goals.

If you’ve been struggling to stay consistent or make lasting changes, this book will help you develop habits that stick. It’s perfect for anyone looking to improve their health, productivity or personal growth. 

Key Takeaway: Small consistent habits over time can lead to great results.  

14. Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Favourite Quote: “Happiness comes from living as you need to, as you want to. As your inner voice tells you to”

Year of Yes is a must-read book by Shonda Rhimes (the creator of amazing shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and Bridgerton) who shares how saying yes to opportunities changed her life. It’s an honest funny look at how stepping out of your comfort zone can open doors you never imagined. 

This book had a huge impact on me. After reading it, I joined a book club and started doing more of the things I enjoyed, even if it meant doing them alone. I also began saying yes to more social events, even when it pushed me out of my comfort zone as an introvert.

Feeling hesitant or scared to take risks is normal, but this book will help you push past those fears. Shonda will remind you that saying yes to new experiences can lead to the most fulfilling moments in your life. 

Key Takeaway: Say yes to opportunities even if it scares you. 

15. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

Favourite Quote: “Not giving a f*ck does not mean being indifferent, it means being comfortable with being different.”

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is an honest book that challenges the idea that we should be happy all the time. Instead, Manson suggests that we should focus on caring about what really matters and stop sweating the small stuff. 

If you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed by life’s pressures, this book is a reality check. It’ll help you prioritise what’s important and let go of things that aren’t worth your energy. 

Key Takeaway: If you stop putting so much energy into the negative aspects of life, you’ll live an anxious-free, happier life.

Final Thoughts on Books for Women in Their 20s

So there you have it, a list of the best books for women in their 20s that can help you level up in all areas of your life. 

Whether you’re looking to boost your confidence, improve your finances or find deeper meaning, these books will guide you along the way. 

I hope you have found this post helpful and now feel inspired to read more. What is your favourite book? Let me know in the comments below! 

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