Books to Read Before You Turn 30
Reading is one of the few pleasures in life that can actually make you feel better. Whether it's a tale with a cliffhanging climax or a memoir full of life lessons, a good book can really touch you.
Whether you're a cliche JD Salinger fanatic or just trying to make sense of the world around you, here are some books you should read before you turn 30.
The Catcher in the Rye
This 1951 novel chronicles two days in the life of a disillusioned teenage boy. Holden Caulfield tries to connect with people but only finds them annoying or phony.
Holden isn’t clear about where he is when he narrates his story, but it’s likely a sanatorium or mental hospital. The book explores themes of innocence, identity, change and connection. It’s a cult classic for good reason.
On the Road
A modern classic, On the Road chronicles a young man’s frenetic journey across America in search of meaning. It is considered a defining work of the Beat Generation and of counterculture in general.
The book features many characters based on Kerouac’s Beat Generation friends, including Allen Ginsberg (Carlo Marx), Neal Cassady (Dean Moriarty), and William S. Burroughs (Old Bull Lee). This novel is a roman à clef.
One Day
Reading is a proven stress reducer, and people who read regularly are also shown to have bigger and better vocabularies than those who do not. It’s a great way to learn something new and expand your knowledge.
Whether you're looking for advice on how to tackle millennial money or an inspiring tale of survival, these books can help make your 30s rad.
The Secret Life of Bees
If you've seen the new TV series starring Lily James, be sure to read the book it's based on. Sue Monk Kidd's work delves into themes of love, loss and faith.
You'll recognise Bryony Gordon as a journalist and podcast host, but this memoir is more than just a gushy girl-about-town tale. It tackles the big questions that life throws at us all.
The Secrets of Happiness
The big questions about life and happiness weave through this National Book Critics Circle Award winner from Joan Silber. Its multiple narrators include Ethan, a lawyer whose family begins to disintegrate when his father's double life comes to light: his wife is Nok, his mother's Thai lover.
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The Secrets of Success
The secrets of success are like important pillars on your path to becoming successful. They can help you become financially stable, happy and achieve your dreams.
This classic tale is a reminder that life isn't always about 3am benders and half-remembered parties. Sometimes it's about taking a step back and finding your inner strength. This book shows you how to do just that.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
This decluttering guide helps you reclaim your space by sorting items into categories (clothes, books, paper, miscellaneous, sentimental items). It instructs you to discard any item that doesn't spark joy and organize the ones that do into neat piles.
The author claims that tidying is not just for home, but can also put your life and past in order to reach your goals.
The Big Book of Happiness
A collection of articles from O Magazine, this book explores happiness from many angles. Among the highlights are Elizabeth Gilbert's ode to the power of asking for what you want, Roxane Gay's sure-fire cure for complaining, and more.
Immersing yourself in a book requires your full attention, which can help you focus and forget your worries for awhile. It's the perfect way to escape into another world.
The Big Book of Fears
Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, this extraordinary picture book allows young children to document their fears in an engaging and interactive way - from loud noises and darkness to being sucked down the plughole.
Want to learn more? Check out Blinkist's collection of essential books that every 30-something should read. These bite-sized explainers cover topics like leadership, self-improvement and psychology.
The Big Book of Questions
The Big Book of Questions is a children's book that will teach them about the world around them. The beautiful illustrations by Paloma Valdivia are full of cosmic moments of connection between animals, plants and humans.
Whether you're looking for a great way to pass time on a commute or some helpful tips for working from home, this book is a must-read.