19 great books for recent college grads that'll guide them through their next chapter
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As college graduates ready themselves for the next chapter in their lives, books can provide insightful advice and research-driven tips on how to best move forward. Whether they're starting their first job or fellowship, paying the brunt of their own expenses for the first time, or unsure of what they want to do next, there are countless people who have been in their shoes before and have some wisdom to impart.
Below, we rounded up some of the best books to gift recent college grads, from relatable memoirs, straightforward financial guides, and self-help books on everything from forming healthy habits to finding one's ideal career path. And if you want to pair a book with another gift, be sure to check out our guides to the best college graduation gifts.
The 19 best books to gift college graduates in 2022:
Amazon
"Congratulations, By the Way," available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.99
Best for: The grad who wants a short, inspirational read
Adapted from author George Saunders' commencement address at Syracuse University (where he teaches writing), this book is essentially a short, incredibly well-written speech that can be finished in one sitting. As a bonus, the core theme isn't about common graduation topics like career goals or perseverance, but about something even more important: kindness and empathy for others.
Amazon
"Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life," available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $18.92
Best for: The grad who has no idea what they want to do for a career
Written by two faculty members of Stanford University's Design Program, this book uses design thinking to help the reader break down what they love to do and forge a life path that balances work with everything else. It's particularly great for grads who feel uncertain about what they want to do in their career and can help them discover new possibilities.
You can read our review of the "Designing Your Life" online course on the same topic here.
Amazon
"Speak: How to Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be," available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $18.21
Best for: The grad who wants to grow into themselves more
Written by popular Peloton instructor Tunde Oyeneyin, this memoir doubles as a self-help book that teaches readers how to live a life with purpose. Oyeneyin chronicles her journey to figuring out what she wanted to do in life and how to pursue her dreams to live her most authentic life, leaving readers with a framework to do the same.
Amazon
"The Defining Decade," available at Bookshop and Amazon, from $7.98
Best for: The grad who feels nervous about their 20s
From graduating college to finding that first job or relationship, one's 20s pack a lot of change in a short amount of time. Weaving stories of hundreds of 20-something clients and students, Meg Jay's book is full of advice on how to navigate all these new developments to set oneself up for success later in life.
Amazon
"Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones," available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.98
Best for: The grad who wants to self-improve by doesn't know where to start
Whether your graduate wants to be better organized or stop procrastinating as much, this bestselling book offers clear, tangible tips on how to build tiny, approachable habits that snowball into larger, life-changing ones down the road.
Amazon
"Untamed," available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $14.99
Best for: The grad on the precipice of some exciting-but-scary changes
This bestselling memoir reads more like a self-help book, offering lots of encouragement in being true to one's authentic self and most honest desires. It can especially be helpful to a graduate with big changes looming ahead, such as a cross-country move or a career path switch.
Amazon
"Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole," available at Bookshop and Amazon, from $14.71
Best for: The grad who needs to learn how to budget
Whether your grad is dealing with student loan debt or difficulty finding work, they're sure to find meaningful advice from Tiffany Aliche, who dealt with the aftermath of the 2008 recession and a shady advisor who put her into a huge financial hole. Written in a straightforward way, this book offers simple, tangible ways for young graduates to save money, pay off debt, and plan for a financially secure life.
Amazon
"Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As if Your Life Depended on it," available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $17.99
Best for: The grad who will have to negotiate their salary soon
Written by a former FBI hostage negotiator, this book offers fascinating tips on how to negotiate everything from a raise at work to a compromise with a family member. It can especially be useful to grads going into fields where persuasion will be a big part of their job, such as law, politics, or non-profit work.
You can read our review of Chirs Voss's MasterClass on the same topic here.
Amazon
"Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.89
Best for: The grad who's self-conscious about being an introvert
As "Quiet" explores, much of American culture rewards those who are extroverted and talkative, which can make it difficult for more introverted people to feel like they can stand out. Written as part-memoir, part-self-help, this book offers inspiring anecdotes and tips on how to channel one's quiet side, instead of feeling forced to change it.
Amazon
"Tiny Beautiful Things," available at Bookshop and Amazon, from $13.38
Best for: The grad who doesn't just want career advice
Cheryl Strayed, author of the bestselling memoir "Wild," also worked for years as the writer of a column called "Dear Sugar," where she offered advice to strangers by being incredibly vulnerable and honest about her own life experiences. This book is a collection of some of her best columns, tackling topics from grief and cheating lovers to pursuing your wildest dreams.
Amazon
"The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters," available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $14.49
Best for: The grad moving away from all their friends
The nice thing about college is how easy socializing is when you all live in the same dorm or apartment, have school-organized events to attend, and generally live by similar schedules. As we get older, making new friends (or hanging with existing ones) can get more challenging. This book teaches simple but mind-blowing tips on how to make gatherings more meaningful and bonding, from sending out an event invite to deciding who to invite.
Amazon
"I Will Teach You to Be Rich," available at Bookshop and Amazon, from $12.87
Best for: The grad already interested in building their savings
This book gives grads some good news: they can spend all they want on lattes, so long as they still have money to invest and grow over time. It's a straightforward guide to building a robust savings account, and one of our personal favorite books to recommend (especially to those new to managing their money).
Amazon
"What You're Really Meant to Do," available at Bookshop and Amazon, from $14.39
Best for: The grad who doesn't know what to do next
In this book, Robert Steven Kaplan, a leadership expert and bestselling author, shares specific exercises and advice on how one can know themselves more deeply, from figuring out their true passions to setting goals to reaching them.
Amazon
"What I Know Now," available at Amazon, $12.77
Best for: The grad who wants all the advice they can get
If you don't want to commit to one book by one author, this anthology features letters from 41 famous women to their past selves, with writers ranging from Madeleine Albright to Maya Angelou. Beyond offering invaluable advice, it's also just a fascinating glimpse into these iconic women's lives.
Amazon
"Ask a Manager," available at Bookshop and Amazon, from $14.40
Best for: The grad who already has a difficult job
Alison Green, an internet-famous work advice columnist, is known for giving empathetic, straightforward, and honest career advice, whether you have an annoying coworker or have no idea how to ask for a raise. If your grad already has a job (or is struggling with the interview process), this book can serve as a guide through all stages of their work life.
Bookshop
"Make Your Bed," available at Bookshop and Amazon, $11.94
Best for: The grad who wants some simple, straightforward life advice
Based on a commencement speech that Admiral William H. McRaven gave to the University of Texas, Austin in 2014, this book covers his career as a Navy Seal and what it taught him about which habits and outlooks make the most impact. It's a book that offers honest, direct tips on how to live a more successful life, no matter what you do for a living.
Amazon
"The Gift: 14 Lessons to Save Your Life," available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.37
Best for: The grad who's gone through a rough patch lately
Recently updated to reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic, this book shares the story of Edith Eva Eger, a world-renowned psychologist and Holocaust survivor who argues that the only thing worse than living in a concentration camp was feeling imprisoned by her own fear, guilt, and anger. The core lesson of the book teaches readers that while we can't control our experiences, we can always change our perspectives.
Amazon
"Option B," available at Bookshop and Amazon, from $13.67
Best for: The grad who wants to be more resilient
When Sheryl Sandberg's husband suddenly died, she worried she'd never feel joy again. She worked on this book with her friend Adam Grant, a Wharton psychologist — together, they share tips on how to build resilience even in the most trying times. It's a skill every graduate needs, whether they're facing big changes or even just dreading big changes in the future.
Amazon
"The Beautiful Chaos of Growing Up," available at Amazon, $14.99
Best for: The grad who loves poetry
"The Beautiful Chaos of Growing Up" is a beautiful poetry collection about young adulthood. it covers everything from college friendships and graduation to all the firsts of adulthood: first romances, first jobs, first apartments — all helping a recent grad get excited about what's to come next.
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