Lost, loved, or starting over? These 10 books will hold your hand

Time of India

01-07-2025

Your 20s are not just about figuring out what you want to do, but also about understanding who you really are. These years bring first jobs, heartbreaks, quiet confusions, and bold beginnings.
Through all this, books can serve as gentle guides. Here are ten books that are comforting, powerful, and unforgettable, books that speak to people in their 20s who are learning to move, stay, fall, grow, and start again.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Set in a small Tokyo café where customers can travel back in time, only for a few minutes, this Japanese novel is soft and philosophical. It doesn't offer grand life advice, but rather shows how little moments and missed chances shape us.
The book reminds us that no matter how far we want to go, we must return to the present before the coffee gets cold. It's a beautiful story about regret, time, and forgiveness.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
In a world that moves fast, this book invites you to slow down. When a heartbroken woman moves into her uncle's secondhand bookstore in Tokyo, she begins to heal quietly through books and calm routines. There are no dramatic twists, only quiet comfort.
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If your 20s ever feel lost or loud, this book teaches you how stillness can also be strength.
The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
Written by a clinical psychologist, this book explains why your 20s matter more than you think. It covers relationships, careers, and identity with stories from real patients. It's direct, honest, and motivating. Not everyone likes advice books, but this one is worth reading because it respects your intelligence and offers practical tools.
The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
A powerful retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi's point of view, this novel blends mythology with emotion. It explores destiny, duty, ambition, and feminine strength. For readers in their 20s, it shows how history can be reimagined and how women's voices, often quiet in old stories, deserve to be heard with full force.
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
This book is a collection of real letters from people seeking advice and the compassionate responses from Cheryl Strayed.
Her words are warm, wise, and often poetic. You'll find parts that feel like they were written just for you. It's a book to turn to when you don't know what to do next.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A global favorite, this story of a shepherd who goes in search of his destiny is about more than just adventure. It's about listening to your heart, trusting life's process, and finding meaning in simple things. Your 20s are the right time to read this, not because it gives answers, but because it helps you ask better questions.
Educated by Tara Westover
This memoir traces the author's journey from a strict, survivalist upbringing in rural Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. It's about breaking free from limiting beliefs and finding your voice. It teaches that education is not just about books, but about learning how to think for yourself.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
If you've ever thought, 'What if I had chosen differently?' this novel will move you deeply. The story follows Nora, who is given the chance to try alternate versions of her life.
It gently explores regret, purpose, and hope. You'll walk away from it feeling a bit more accepting of your choices and your past.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
With its bold title and blunt advice, this book may seem like it's just trying to be cool. But it offers a deeper message: Focus your energy on what truly matters. In your 20s, when you often try to do and be everything, this book reminds you to choose your battles.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
This quiet, intense novel captures how complicated relationships can be, especially in young adulthood.
It doesn't judge its characters for being unsure or imperfect. Instead, it shows how love, distance, and communication shape who we become. It's a novel that doesn't shout, but leaves a lasting echo.
You won't find all the answers in books. But the right ones will help you pause, reflect, and feel less alone. These ten titles are not just about entertainment. They are mirrors, maps, and sometimes soft blankets, reminding you that growth can be slow and still beautiful. So read widely. Reread when needed. Let stories help you carry the weight of becoming.