A Book Recommendation from Every Genre to Get You Through Your Twenties

Being an adult can be hard, and it’s even harder when it feels like you’re the first one to do it. In spite of copious evidence to the contrary, many of us have faced a feeling of isolation as we navigate the trials and confusing requirements of our new state of being—‘independent’ and alone.

But as Charles William Elliot, American educator and Harvard academic, said: "Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."

So, if we are lost at sea and looking for a lighthouse, or lost in the woods and searching for a path, we need look no further than books! At Clique, we know how important it is to have the written word to rely on as a guide and counselor, so we wanted to share with you some recommendations which have helped us navigate those treacherous, yet inspiring years of early adulthood.

1. Fiction - The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

Heralded as “A Steel Magnolias for the twenty-first century” in Kirkus reviews, this story of a single mother running a knitting shop amidst the bustle of New York introduces its reader to women experiencing every stage of life. From studying a PhD with no sense of purpose to rekindling a love once thought lost, the female companionship and contagious optimism found within its pages will help any listless twenty-something feel like maybe they aren’t so alone after all. The Friday Night Knitting Club is a gentle and compassionate reminder that we’re all just figuring it out as we go—so try not to be so hard on yourself if you lose sight of the path once in a while.

2. Historical Fiction - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

It may be a children’s book, but we would be remiss not to remind you to return to the world of this great classic—or to crack open its pages for the first time if you’ve never had the pleasure. Within, you will meet Mary Lennox, an orphaned girl who discovers more than she ever thought possible within the walls of a long-lost garden. Through strong willed characters and a loving view of the natural world which can be found right under our noses, Frances Hodgson Burnett perfectly captures the feeling of taking an unbeaten path or ducking under a tree branch to discover a hidden alcove. This short and impactful story offers a timely reminder that there is magic to be found in the simple discovery of something new.

3. Mystery & Thriller - In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware, celebrated author of multiple twist-filled thrillers, brings us the dark tale of a bachelorette party gone terribly wrong in the middle of a secluded part of the wilderness. At the very least, the story is gripping and shocking enough to keep you turning the page and—if only for a while—stop you thinking about that upcoming exam, awkward interaction, or painful job interview from your real life. At best, the book is a dark and engaging tale of the importance of respecting your friends and keeping honesty at the center of your life…lest there be terrible consequences.

4. Romance - Happy Place by Emily Henry

This recognizable tale from popular romance author Emily Henry follows a group of college friends as they navigate the tensions and trials that come with the new jobs, places, and relationships of early adulthood. For any young adult looking for some help in finding their way through the screen-dominated relationships of the twenty-first century, the romances and friendships which criss-cross the core group of this book will be a hit. Whether you’re looking for wholesome flirtations, realistic female friendships, or the comforting atmosphere of a book set entirely in cosy locations, you’ll be sure to find both escape and like-mindedness within this brightly colored cover.

5. Fantasy - Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi

While fantasy is often an excellent way of escaping the real world for a bit of magic and excitement, it can be rare to find characters in this genre who both reflect ourselves and introduce us to something new. Not Gingerbread, however. This magical novel follows Perdita and her mother Harriet, a not-so-average pair of women with an inherited secret magic of their own. Dive into this story of magical realism, and you’ll find yourself swept away in a current of beautiful descriptions, fascinating concepts, and dynamic relationships—all while learning about the importance of being true to both where you came from and where you’re heading next.

6. Science Fiction - A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Madeleine L’Engle’s spellbinding tale is a classic for any age, but it’s especially useful for those times in life which feel kind of like floating in the depths of outer space. Follow along with Meg, her brother Charles, and their friend Calvin as they dive into both space and time in a desperate search for Meg and Charles’ father, a mysterious scientist. A fascinating blend of character, myth, and scientific curiosity, you’ll be sure to get a boost as the young protagonists discover the strength they have within themselves. Who knows, you may even be reminded of your own hidden strengths, too.

7. Classic - North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

It may be tempting to think of the past as distinctly separate from our times, but North and South is a brilliant reminder of what we have in common with those who have come before. Margaret Hale is transplanted along with her parents from the rolling hills of the rural south-east of England to the industrialization of a 19th-century northern city; on this journey, the reader is invited to experience the shock and necessary adjustments of such a huge lifestyle change along with Margaret. This story is perfect for anyone looking for guidance on how to negotiate those twists of life which land us in unexpected places. Margaret’s compassion, determination, and dedication to her fellow human serve as a fulfilling reminder of what our priorities should be in such moments of upheaval.

8. Non-fiction - Out and Back: A Runner's Story of Survival Against All Odds by Hillary Allen

If anyone has ever told you to have perspective at a difficult moment in your life, and if it’s worked, then this book is for you. The true story follows ultramarathon runner Hillary Allen as her 50-kilometer race is interrupted by a horrifying event—a fall from a 150 foot cliff face. As the book follows Allen’s tumultuous road to recovery, readers struggling with a lack of motivation may just be compelled to join in with her fighting spirit and indomitable courage in the face of life’s unexpected setbacks. While most of us are probably not ultramarathon runners like Allen, her story is one of contagious resilience which will leave you feeling like the world really is still at your feet, even if it looks a little different than you expected.

9. Memoir & Autobiography - My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

Some readers may have tuned in to the British comedy drama series The Durrell’s starring Keeley Hawes, Josh O’Connor, and others, but not many know that the delights of that program can be found in the original book. A true and simultaneously beautiful and hilarious reminiscence, Gerald Durell invites the reader into the life of his family in the 1930’s after moving from a coastal English town to the Greek island of Corfu. The move was out of the ordinary for a family such as Gerald’s—especially in this time period—but the magic he discovers on the island is nothing short of extraordinary. In between frequent laughs, you’ll be astounded and encouraged in equal measure to see how a path previously thought to be unimaginable can turn out to be exactly what you needed all along.

10. History & Biography - The Life of Charlotte Brontë by Elizabeth Gaskell

It may seem like an odd choice to turn to a biographical book for inspiration amidst the perplexing years of your 20’s, but learning from the lives of others can do much more than provide simple solidarity. This novel—written by a successful female novelist about her good friend and fellow novelist—will bolster, comfort, and guide you in equal measures. Following Charlotte Brontë’s windswept upbringing on the West Yorkshire moors, Gaskell illuminates the triumphs and kindnesses which characterized Charlotte’s life and which provide inspiration to any young person with a dream. From pacing the sitting room floor with her two sisters, telling stories over candlelight, to claiming her work in a London publishing office, it is a story of inspiration as much for the twenty-first century as it was for the nineteenth.

So, we hope you’re not too daunted by your (now considerably increased) ‘to be read’ list. Quite the opposite, we hope that these recommendations have given you hope in the knowledge that we have all found early adulthood daunting at one time or another. Help is on the way if you’re willing to crack open the pages of those endlessly wise counselors: books. Are there any books you love which helped you get through your twenties, or at least reminded you that you weren’t alone? We’d love to hear your recommendations!