The 5 Best Books Of The 2020s For Millennials

Whether you're feeling lost or know exactly where you're headed, adulthood can be challenging at times — particularly for those of us in our 30s. Tips on how to handle growing up are everywhere you look, but if you're an avid reader, your first recourse might be a good book. Since novels and nonfiction bring so much wisdom and insight into our lives, we're taking the time to consider the most useful tomes for millennials written in the 2020s. That is, not quite middle-aged people who might need a spitfire protagonist to look up to or who would benefit from a thoughtful biography.

Our 20s were all about finding our footing in adulthood and enjoying new-found freedoms. We often find structure in college or a new career, which adds a lot of stability and meaning to our 20s. But suddenly, we enter our 30s and life feels different. New pressures emerge, be they financial, romantic, reproductive, or career-related. Being cute and confused was fine as a 20-something, but it's not so socially acceptable as a 30-something. This liminal but lovely space of adulthood is something we want to both celebrate and harness.

Even if you have a busy schedule, there are some easy techniques you can try to read more. Whatever the pace you read, we feel that these books offer help navigating those later decades of youth, and advice on how to make the most of them. 

Matt Haig's "The Midnight Library" is an astonishing novel that offers readers the chance to imagine what life would be like if we could go back and undo earlier choices. Like many of us, protagonist Nora Seed is troubled by some decisions she's made, and wonders how things might have gone had she turned at another fork in the road. Unlike us, Seed finds herself in a magical library filled with books that tell the tales of how her life might have been different had she done things differently.

Haig's novel tackles weighty subjects like regret, disillusionment, depression, and the understanding that sometimes, the tough choices we make are actually the right ones. The protagonist gets to play out the fantasy of undoing the things she regretted, and is surprised to discover that her regret is, in many cases, a wasted emotion. 

Published in August 2020, "The Midnight Library" remains a powerful book for readers who are themselves at a crossroads. It offers a chance for readers to contemplate their own choices and paths. "This book was so beautifully written and I love the way this book asks the question: what is the best way to live?" one reader wrote on GoodReads. "This book isn't just about Nora Seed ... It's about regrets, unfinished plans, 'what ifs,' seeking family approval, drugs, mistakes, giving up, living out others' dreams, self-loathing, insecurities, self-harm, love, passion, and hate," another wrote, emphasizing the all-encompassing scope of this novel. 

Rebekah Crane's 2024 book "Last Call for Love" is a charming romance novel that gives a joyful take on finding love when you least expect it. Don't worry, the title in no way implies that your 30s are the last shot at love. Rather, the novel centers around a pub, so it's a playful reference to the last call for alcohol. 

The novel centers around Maeve Kaminski, who lives in Chicago before inheriting a pub on a remote island in Ireland from her estranged father. She doesn't know what on earth to do with the pub, but plans on selling it to settle her debts. Then, Maeve meets Briggs Murphy, who has just been diagnosed with a heart condition that could be fatal. It turns out the two have a legacy: their families are renowned enemies on the island, and Briggs certainly isn't in the headspace for love given his health. But both might have to take a risk.

We wanted to squeeze in at least one romance book on this list because the genre is so life-affirming and sanguine. Plus, the romance section is absolutely booming with high-quality releases these days. The stories we favor have strong feminist leads, and offer a little sizzle and spice. We all — millennials included — need a little heat and hope, and "Last Call for Love" is too sweet to pass up. 

Lily King's 2020 novel "Writers & Lovers" is about 31-year-old Casey Peabody, who's just lost her mother and ended a tumultuous romantic relationship. Set in 1997, Casey winds up in Massachusetts, waiting tables in Harvard Square. While she's discouraged, Casey continues to pursue the creative drive burning inside of her. She also falls in love with two different men at the same time, finding herself with a lot on her plate and a lot of decisions to make. 

Readers connected to the writerly struggles the protagonist faced, and appreciated how candidly King wrote about the creative spirit. "I can say with great confidence that I have found my favorite book of 2020," one reader wrote on GoodReads. "And that's saying something. First a little editorial comment; the story is based on the trials and tribulations of a writer, a topic to which I can easily relate. Smooth, elegant prose." 

This is a meaningful read for any millennial who has been inspired by that creative force inside of them. One charmed reader wrote, "'Writers & Lovers' is a funny novel about grief, and, worse, it's dangerously romantic — bold enough and fearless enough to imagine the possibility of unbounded happiness." King manages to expertly explore romance and creative life in one vivacious novel. 

In a departure from novels, we delve into meaningful nonfiction that offers motivation for anyone looking to change certain things about their life. Brianna Wiest's "The Pivot Year," published in 2023, is a fresh take on daily self-reflection. Offering simple, daily meditations, Wiest's book is all about changing one's mindset to change one's actions, even if you're not quite at the point where you're experiencing a midlife crisis. The book offers a way to commit to 12 months of change in order to redirect parts of your life that no longer align with goals. Best of all, a major part of Wiest's philosophy in "The Pivot Year" is that we already contain the person inside of us whom we wish to become. 

This isn't really a book you read once and put down. It's meant to be a daily companion, something you can turn to prior to journaling or meditating. "I love pretty much anything by Brianna Wiest," one reviewer began on GoodReads. "She has a beautiful writing style; her meditations/messages are always comforting, uplifting, and inspiring. Every morning, I wake up and read passages from this book while sipping my coffee before I scribble some thoughts in my journal. It's been a wonderful source of inspiration." 

Another reader appreciated Wiest's call to action. "This truly was insightful. It gives you daily things to make you think deeply but also make the necessary changes in your life to improve it and yourself," they commented. This is a good book to keep around. 

Published in March 2020, Mary Pipher's "Women Rowing North: Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing As We Age" is packed full of excitement about the gift of getting older. Tackling ageism head-on, Pipher joyfully reflects on the struggles faced by younger women, and reminds them of how much happiness, peace, and knowledge comes with growing older. As a clinical psychologist who has also studied cultural anthropology, Pipher tracks and explores the genuine happiness felt by so many older women. 

Readers appreciated Pipher's perspective, and taking the time to reflect on life's upcoming chapters was a boon for many, especially millennials. "Though I'm only in my late twenties, I really loved this book," one reader began on GoodReads. "Reading Mary's writing is like talking to a wise older friend, and I loved the glimpses she gave us into the lives of the people she knows. Her points about resilience, building families (found and biological), and choosing happiness apply to everyone." 

It's a great book for looking forward. "I think it is a book that could be best enjoyed slowly. It was like having coffee with a wiser and older sister," another GoodReads reviewer wrote. So millennials, lean on Pipher's wisdom to cultivate resiliency and optimism.