Books To Read In Your Twenties: The Only List You'll Ever Need

Books are crucial to our understand of the world and storytelling is perhaps the most informative way of communicating ideas, thoughts, and concepts. The types of books you'll read in your 20's will help you grapple with the bigger issues that will impact your life down the line. Here are 15 books to read in your twenties:

1.The Hours - Michael Cunningham

The Hours focuses on three generations of women who have been impacted by Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs. Dalloway. The story deals with women's struggles from the early 19th century onwards and with its main focus on gender, sexuality and finding your place in the crowd making it a must read for anyone in their 20's.

2. Wild - Cheryl Strayed

Based on real events, Wild is an autobiographical story about Stray's journey of self-acceptance after the death of her mother. Strayed documents her hike across America on her own and the challenges she faces. This is a perfect read for anyone who is struggling to overcome a huge challenge in their lives.

3. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

Pullman's His Dark Materials is a coming of age fantasy about a girl named Lyra and her daemon set in multiple universes. If you're a fan of the Harry Potter series and the world that JK Rowling creates then you'll love Pullman's trilogy.

4. The Psychopath Test - Jon Ronson

Ronson, a former journalist, delves into the world of psychopaths, madness, therapy and the pharmaceutical industry. Ronson interviews include a Scientology member, a former TV producer, and a diagnosed psychopath. If you're interested in accounts of psychopathy and the social ideas around 'madness' or mental health then look no further.

5. V For Vendetta

An oldie but goodie the graphic novel focuses on V, a masked figure, who seeks to rid a dystopian London from the clutches of Government control. Ethnic cleansing and Government corruption are themes that are central to the story and very much relevant today.

6. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chobsky

The story focuses on Charlie who writes letters to an imaginary friend about his experiences of high school and dealing with life as an adolescent. The perfect antidote for anyone who considers themselves a "wallflower".

7. We Should All Be Feminists - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

A tiny introduction to the world of feminism, Adichie simplifies the meaning of feminism from her upbringing in Nigeria. The simplified way in which she expresses the importance of feminism is a must for anyone who believes in equality.

8. Tuesday's With Morrie - Mitch Albom

Life lessons are never more poignant than in this gem of a book.

9. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

A story about a girl living in Germany during WW2 narrated by Death. You'll think about the figure of death in a new light.

10. Brooklyn - Colm Tóibín

Tóibín, an Irish author, encapsulates immigration for young Irish people with his story about Eilis Lacey. Eilis leaves everything in Ireland to start a new life in New York. The trials and tribulations Eilis faces whilst away from home and her struggle to choose between her new home and Ireland will tug at any travelers heart strings.

11. Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman

An adventure story about Richard who is accidentally embroiled in a battle with another universe that lives beneath the streets of London. If you're interested in how your identity shapes you and what it's like to have it all taken away (your personal belongings, family, career, and relationship) then read Gaiman's Neverwhere.

12. Into The Wild - Jon Krakauer

If you want to get up and leave it all then read this book.

13. Redefining Realness: My Path To Womanhood - Janet Mock

Understanding how gender shapes your relationship to the world is just many of the themes that trans woman and activist Janet Mock discusses in her New York Times bestselling autobiographical tale. You'll walk away from this read with a clear understanding of what gender and sexuality are and how it functions in society.

14. The Alchemist - Paulo Coehlo

A simple story about a simple life. If you ever had a dream this book will encourage you to think it through.

15. Persepolis - Marjane Satrapi

Marjane Satrapi's beautifully illustrated graphic novel focuses on Marjane and her experiences of living in Iran through the Iranian Revolution. The story moves from Satrapi's childhood in a culture that is torn between self-discovery and interference from the West to an understanding of how social and political messages impact us all.

Have you read any of the books we've selected?