The Ultimate and Essential Millennial Reading List

Millennials catch a lot of flak for being a supposedly digitally obsessed generation, but as it turns out, Gen Y actually spends more on books than any other generation, including the longtime leaders in book consumption, the baby boomers. While novels might be a favorite among these young readers, there are a lot of quality non-fiction books out there that can help Millennials navigate everything from finding a job to figuring out what makes them happy. Here are just a few we think Millennials should consider checking out, offering education and insight into a wide range of issues, including those which are posing serious problems for Millennials right now like loan debt and job hunting.

For Millennials and Twentysomethings

These books speak to the Millennial generation, with guidance and information on everything from surviving your twenties to understanding what it means to be Millennial.

• Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation by Neil Howe and William Strauss:

  Want a fair appraisal of your generation? Check out this book that takes a different approach from just branding Millennials as tech-obsessed and self-involved, actually highlighting some of the assets Millennials have that can make them great workers, friends, and citizens. It might just change how you see your own strengths.

• The Trophy Kids Grow Up: How the Millennial Generation Is Shaking Up the Workplace by Ron Alsop:

  If you’re curious what managers might be reading to teach them about Millennials, check out this book by Alsop. It’s not exactly flattering in some respects, but can give you a better understanding of how those in older generations may see you as a Millennial worker.

• Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties by Alexandra Robbins and Abby Wilner:

  Do you feel like you’re drifting, unsure of where or how to start your life, career, and future after college? You’re not alone. This book will help you understand the quarter-life crisis phenomenon and get some help coping with all the challenges that face today’s twenty-somethings.

• Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled — and More Miserable Than Ever Before by Jean M. Twenge:

  There are some definite benefits to being born Millennial, but some real downsides as well. In this book, psychologist Twenge looks at both, helping you to better understand yourself in the context of your generation and what you may need to do to find happiness.

• 20 Something, 20 Everything: A Quarter Life Woman’s Guide to Balance and Direction by Christine Hassler:

  Coming of age as a woman can be challenging, especially when trying to balance modern expectations about career, family, and relationships. This book addresses some of the biggest struggles young women face and offers some solutions for building a strong satisfying career and personal life.

• The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How To Make The Most Of Them Now by Meg Jay:

  In this book, Dr. Meg Jay explains why your twenties are some of the most critical years of your life, for your career, finances, relationships, and well, everything else. It might be a bit scary to put so much pressure on a decade of your life, but it’s a great read nonetheless.

• The Turbulent Twenties Survival Guide: Figuring Out Who You Are, What You Want, and Where You’re Going After College by Marcos Salazar:

  Life after college can be a scary prospect, especially in a dismal job market like the one we have now. This book offers up some guidance for those first few post-college years, helping young people like yourself navigate work, happiness, and the real world.

• What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World by Tina Seelig:

  This book is a crash course in making the most of your twenties from those who have been there, made mistakes, and lived to tell about it. There’s loads of inspiration to be had, so those feeling lost should definitely give it a read.

• Share or Die: Voices of the Get Lost Generation in the Age of Crisis edited by Malcolm Harris and Neal Gorenflo:

  This book explores some of the things valued by the Millennials, like DIY education, collaborative consumption, and alternatives to the corporate ladder, sharing how they may be the solution to many problems facing the world today.

Finance

Are you loaded with college debt or unsure of how to create a secure financial future for yourself? These books are a great place to start learning the ropes.

• The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous &; Broke by Suze Orman:

  Financial guru Orman speaks directly to recent grads and young adults on important financial topics like credit card debt, student loans, first jobs, insurance, and more in this must-read book.

• First Generation White Collar: A Practical Guide on How to Get Ahead and Not Just Get By with Your Money by L. Marie Joseph:

  This book is a must-read for those who are the first in their family to graduate from college or to head into a white collar job. You’ll learn how to manage your college debt, create a budget, invest, and even buy a house.

• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Out of Debt by Ken Clark:

  Whether you’re carrying a few thousand dollars in student debt or tens of thousands, this book can help you tackle it bit by bit until it’s paid off. Look to it for guidance on everything from debt consolidation to saving strategies.

• The Generation Y Money Book: 99 Smart Ways to Handle Money by Don Silver:

  Geared specifically at Millennials, this book covers a wide range of financial topics that are critical to building a strong financial future.

• Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance In Your Twenties and Thirties by Beth Kobliner:

  In this book, Kobliner offers advice directly to the Millennial demographic, helping those in the early stages of their careers or family life make smart decisions, avoid debt, and plan for retirement.

• The Wall Street Journal Guide to Starting Your Financial Life by Karen Blumenthal:

  Those fresh out of college and emerging into the real world can find some help with everything from the basics to paying back loans and doing your taxes.

• I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi:

  Well-known blogger Ramit Sethi offers up solid advice on how to not only build a stable financial life but to possibly even become wealthy. Geared towards those between 20 and 35, it’s a great practical guide to understanding the pillars of personal finance.

• A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing by Burton G. Malkiel:

  Many Millennials are put off by the idea of investing, but to make it to retirement with enough money to live off of, investment is a must. Use this book to learn the ropes and gain a better understanding of how to make a sound investment in today’s market.

• Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner:

  This popular book will teach you about topics like gangs, real estate agents, and even the KKK through a financial lens that will change how you view economics.

College and Post-Graduation

These books will teach you essential skills and help you get more out of the college experience, both before and after graduation.

• Eats, Shoots, & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss:

  Employers are increasingly complaining about grads who don’t use proper punctuation and grammar. Don’t be part of the trend. Use this book to teach yourself the basics.

• The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White:

  This book is a must-have for anyone working in a job that will require writing (yes, emails count). It has been the definitive guide to correct grammar and style for decades.

• The New Global Student: Skip the SAT, Save Thousands on Tuition, and Get a Truly International Education by Maya Frost:

  In this book, Frost advocates for study abroad and offers up some tips for doing it on a small budget, as well as sharing why students today are more in need of an international education than ever before.

• The Student Loan Scam: The Most Oppressive Debt in U.S. History and How We Can Fight Back by Alan Collinge:

  If you’re feeling a little ripped off by your college tuition and the resulting debt, you’re not alone. Here, Collinge exposes the predatory nature of the loan industry and offers some pragmatic solutions to digging America’s youth out of crushing debt.

• What They Don’t Teach You in College by James M. Kramon:

  You won’t learn all the skills you need to succeed in the workplace in a college classroom. This book will give you a heads up on the other essential skills you’ll need to hone before heading into the real world.

• 10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College by William D. Coplin:

  This book is also a great read for those hoping to understand the essential on-the-job skills they’ll need. Coplin focuses on work ethic, performance, speaking, writing, teamwork, influence, research, number crunching, and critical thinking, exploring why all are important skills to have.

• How to Survive the Real World: Life After College Graduation: Advice from 774 Graduates Who Did edited by Andrea Syrtash:

  You’ve gradated from college. Now what? This book brings together loads of guidance and advice from other grads to help you navigate all the challenges you’ll face in the post-college years.

• Life After College: The Complete Guide to Getting What You Want by Jenny Blake:

  This manual for the post-college Millennial provides tips, inspiration, and coaching exercises to help you excel in all aspects of your life.

• What Should I Do with My Life?: The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Question by Po Bronson:

  Have your degree but not sure what to do with it? This book offers some advice from others who were in the same position, sharing how they figured out their life purpose.

• The Unemployed College Graduate’s Survival Guide: How to Get Your Life Together, Deal with Debt, and Find a Job After College by Bonnie Kerrigan Snyder:

  Not being able to find a job after graduation really stinks, but it’s not an excuse to just give up. In this book, you’ll get advice that will help you pull yourself up by your bootstraps, find a job, and get on the right path.

• Roadtrip Nation: A Guide to Discovering Your Path In Life by Mike Marriner:

  Tired of other people telling you what to do with your life? This is the book for you. It encourages you to find your own road, either metaphorically or quite literally, and figure out what really makes you happy.

Leadership

Learning leadership skills can help you in nearly every aspect of your life, from the personal to the professional. If you need a little guidance on how to become a better leader, these books are excellent reading material.

• The Leadership Challenge by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner:

  Now in its fourth edition, this book is an essential read for anyone looking to build leadership skills. It’s full of examples and information that can help anyone become a more successful leader.

• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek:

  In this book, you’ll learn what great leaders do that inspires and motivates others and how you can emulate that in your own leadership practice.

• Millennial Leaders: Success Stories from Today’s Most Brilliant Generation Y Leaders by Bea Fields, Scott Wilder, Jim Bunch, and Rob Newbold:

  Get inspired by leadership stories drawn from other Millennials and get some tips on how to cultivate your own leadership and entrepreneurial abilities to your advantage in this great read.

• Leadership Principles for Graduates: Create Success in Life One Day at a Time by John Maxwell:

  College grads can find a great step-by-step guide to building leadership strength in this book, offering inspiration, motivation, and guidance that will keep you going towards your goals.

• Leadership 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves:

  Based on years of research, this book shares what makes an effective leader in today’s modern workplace. The book comes complete with a self-assessment to help you see where you have room to improve.

Career and Business

Starting or changing your career is never an easy road, but these books offer some guidance that can help make it all a little easier, from networking to getting a promotion.

• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie:

  This classic book is still a must-read for anyone looking to learn how to network better and establish stronger business relationships.

• Find Your Inner Ugly Betty: 25 Career Lessons for Young Professionals Inspired by TV Shows by Tanner Stransky:

  Those who love pop culture will really connect with this career book that uses television references to explore some critical career lessons all young grads need to know.

• Getting from College to Career Rev Ed: Your Essential Guide to Succeeding in the Real World by Lindsey Pollak:

  In this book, you’ll get access to a wealth of resources, including job hunting tips, email guidelines, interview prep, and internship guidance.

• Making Ideas Happen: Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality by Scott Belsky:

  How do you take an idea and put it to work? It’s not easy, but this book offers some guidance on making your dreams a reality.

• Job Interview Skills 101: The Course You Forgot to Take by Ellyn Enisman:

  If the thought of a job interview sends you into a cold sweat you need to read this book. It will help you to build skills that will ensure you land a job, with tips from recruiters, hiring managers, and business owners.

• They Don’t Teach Corporate in College: A Twenty-Something’s Guide to the Business World by Alexandra Levit:

  Those new to the corporate world may feel a little lost, but this book can be a good starting place for understanding the culture that exists in most major American companies. It will teach you how to make smart career moves, land a great job, establish a good work reputation, and master skills that will help you to get ahead.

• The 3 Simple Secrets of Success After the Diploma: Integrity, Persistence, and Discipline by Janis Dietz:

  As you’ll learn in this book, these three traits can go a long way towards helping you achieve your goals in your post-college years.

• I Went to College for This?: How to Turn Your Entry Level Job Into a Career You Love by Amy Joyce:

  If you have an entry level job, how can you use it as a springboard to something better? This book shares some pointers, offering real talk on how to make the most of those first few years in the working world.

• Plugged In: The Generation Y Guide to Thriving at Work by Tamara Erickson:

  Learn how to use all the strengths you have as a member of Generation Y to help you get ahead at work, define success, and find a career that makes you happy.

• Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationships at a Time by Keith Ferrazz:

  Networking can make or break your success in business, so it’s important to learn how to do it right. This book offers a guide, helping you learn important steps in making long-lasting connections.

• A Foot in the Door: Networking Your Way into the Hidden Job Market by Dr. Katharine Hansen:

  Learn how to use blogs, social networks, and a wealth of other networking hotspots to gain exposure when you read this modern guide to networking.

• Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath:

  Ever wonder why some ideas take off and others don’t? This book will explain what makes an idea sticky, which can help you more carefully present your own ideas.

• Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson:

  Learn better, faster ways to succeed in business with a little help from this book focused on action rather than planning.

• Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh:

  Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh chares the lessons he’s learned in business in this book. It’s a great read for anyone hoping to be an entrepreneur themselves one day.

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  Boring to Bravo: Proven Presentation Techniques to Engage, Involve, and Inspire Your Audience to Action

  
  

  by Kristin J. Arnold:

  Whether you’re trying to wow a client or just get your idea to become a reality, being a good presenter is an essential skill. Use this book to improve your abilities and give a presentation that is hard to say no to.

• Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin:

  Marketing guru Seth Godin offers up some advice in this book on how to make sure your employer sees you as an indispensable part of the team.

Relationships

Life for Millennials isn’t all about work. Here are some great reads for relationship advice.

• It’s Called A Breakup Because It’s Broken: The Smart Girl’s Break-Up Buddy by Greg Behrendt and Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt:

  Breakups are never easy, but as this book explains, there are times when your ex just isn’t worth pining over. While geared towards women, the book can also offer solid advice for guys who’ve had their hearts broken.

• MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche:

  One thing many people learn is that after you’re out of college, it becomes really hard to make friends. This book chronicles one woman’s search for a new BFF in a new town, showing it’s not as easy as it was in her younger days.

• The Mommy Myth: The Idealization of Motherhood and How It Has Undermined All Women by Susan Douglas and Meredith Michaels:

  Regardless of where you stand, one thing is for sure: it’s not easy to be a mother today. This book addresses the myth of the perfect mom and helps Millennials figure out how to balance their career and personal goals with being a parent.

• Non-Violent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg:

  Communication is a huge part of a relationship and often a deciding factor in whether or not one will work out. This book teaches couples how to talk to one another and to resolve conflicts without resorting to aggressive or hurtful language.

• Deal Breakers: When To Work On A Relationship And When To Walk Away by Dr. Bethany Marshall:

  Deal breakers: we all have them, but this book explores which are unrealistic and which really are signs that things just won’t work out.

The Mind

Understanding how the brain works can help you thrive at work and in your personal life, so give these great books a read.

• Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina:

  Learn a bit more about how the brain works, from why we sleep to why multi-tasking is bunk, in this book. The lessons can help you make the most of your brainpower and get more out of work, relationships, and studying.

• How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer:

  Our decision-making process isn’t easy to understand, nor is it always logical, as you’ll learn from this book by Wired editor, neuroscientist, and plagiarist Jonah Lehrer.

• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink:

  You may think you’re motivated by money or success, but what really motivates you to excel may surprise you. Read this book to learn more or check out Pink’s TED talk.

• Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath:

  Change is never easy, but some things are harder to change than others. This book provides a framework for making major changes in your life, helpful whether you’re 25 or 75.

Personal Development

These books offer help with finding happiness, following your passion, thinking creatively, and much more.

• The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch:

  Want to get more done with less effort? This book will show you how, exploring the 80/20 principle that can help you transform your efforts at work.

• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin:

  This popular book will help you address small ways you can make yourself happier, stop worrying, and let go of negative thoughts.

• Cognitive Surplus: Creativity and Generosity in a Connected Age by Clay Shirky:

  While you may have grown up in a connected world, that doesn’t mean you always understand it. This book by Internet guru Shirky will explain the move towards collaboration and creativity in a wired world. It may just inspire you to take action and develop your own world-changing apps and websites.

• Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World by Chris Guillebeau:

  There’s something to be said for standing out from the crowd. This book will show you how to embrace nonconformity and use it to launch the career you want, be happier, and maybe even change a few lives.

• The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner:

  No matter what generation we’re part of, we’re all in search of one elusive thing: happiness. In this book, Weiner explores what makes people happy the world over, discovering the wide range of ways to be happy.

• The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Social Change by Jennifer Aaker and Andy Smith with Carlye Adler:

  Two of the commonly touted things Millennials value are making a difference and social media, and this book combines them both, showing readers how to use Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to change the world.

• Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques by Michael Michalko:

  Need a bit of help getting the creative juices going? This book has you covered. It’s loaded with techniques to get you thinking outside of the box.

• The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch:

  This inspirational lecture from former professor Pausch is sure to get you motivated to achieve your goals (right after you finish having a good cry).

• Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell:

  This popular book shares what makes some people so successful and why others fail. It’s not as complicated as you might think and can motivate you to practice, practice, practice.

• Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out by Marci Shimoff:

  If you’re looking to be happier, this book offers a step-by-step plan to achieving greater happiness every single day.