Books for figuring out what to do with the rest of your life

1,000 Places to See Before You Die

by Patricia Schultz

TIME.com said "[1,000 Places to See Before You Die] has joined the canon of classic reference tomes that earn cozy homes on the bookshelf next to the thesaurus."

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter–And How to Make the Most of Them Now

by Meg Jay

Whether you're approaching twenty, are in your twenties, or have ever been twenty, Jay provides a fascinating look at what's so important about these years. Well-written, heavily researched, story-driven, and absolutely inspiring. This is one of my favorites, and would also make an excellent gift for the parents of grads.

How to Cook Everything: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food

by Mark Bittman

Mark Bittman has a reputation for recipes that are foolproof, using "fresh ingredients, simple techniques, and basic equipment."

The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost: A Memoir of Three Continents, Two Friends, and One Unexpected Adventure

by Rachel Friedman

From the publisher: "Rachel Friedman has always been the consummate good girl who does well in school and plays it safe, so the college grad surprises no one more than herself when, on a whim (and in an effort to escape impending life decisions), she buys a ticket to Ireland, a place she has never visited. There she forms an unlikely bond with a free-spirited Australian girl, a born adventurer who spurs Rachel on to a yearlong odyssey that takes her to three continents, fills her life with newfound friends, and gives birth to a previously unrealized passion for adventure. As her journey takes her to Australia and South America, Rachel discovers and embraces her love of travel and unlocks more truths about herself than she ever realized she was seeking."

The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need

by Daniel H. Pink

If you just have to give a book as a graduation gift, make it this one from the always-excellent Dan Pink. This pithy career guide is written in the Japanese comic book style manga—so you know they’ll read it.

Lean In for Graduates

by Sheryl Sandberg

I'm usually not a fan of gift books, but I'll make an exception for Sandberg's game-changing bestseller about making the choices necessary for long-term success early in your career. This edition has been updated with specific advice aimed squarely at new college grads.

In, But Not Of

by Hugh Hewitt

Hewitt writes with high school graduates and college entrants in mind, covering topics such as building your resumé with extracurricular activities, finding mentors, and forming your character. I like this book because of its specific, practical advice I've not encountered elsewhere: "When you graduate, move to one of the three major cities; do not obtain your graduate degree from the same university as your B.A.; avoid courses where the reading list is dominated by titles published within the last three decades; do study history." This book is targeted to a Christian audience, and contains chapters on choosing a church. Add Audible narration for $3.99.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD FLY A JET!

by Theo LeSeig

When I graduated in the '90s, Dr. Seuss's Oh, the Places You’ll Go! was a clever, quirky pick for the new graduate. No longer. This classic has been marketed to death: don’t even think about buying this (unfairly) tired-out book for your graduate. Instead, try this lesser-known Dr. Seuss classic. It's out of print, but it shouldn't be too hard to find a copy–and it's well worth it. (Warning: brace yourself for a terrible ending. It's worth reading anyway.)

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar

by Cheryl Strayed

For years, Cheryl Strayed wrote an advice column for TheRumpus.net called "Dear Sugar." Strayed wrote anonymously—to her readers she was only "Sugar"—and she answered likewise anonymous letters about love and romance, grief and loss, money and family troubles. To call these "columns" seems to sell them short: these are beautiful, heartfelt, brutally honest essays that go in directions you don't expect. Strayed is compassionate with her letter writers, giving them gentle advice while not pulling any punches, but says her real mission isn't to tell them what they "should" do. Instead, she tries to reveal a third way by either presenting a perspective that those who write can't see on their own, or to complexly hash out what's really going on in their life and situation. My favorite essays, hands-down, are The Ghost Ship That Didn't Carry Us and The Obliterated Place. Proceed with caution: this has a hefty f-bomb count and triggers galore, but it's too good to leave out.

Make Good Art

by Neil Gaiman

From the publisher: "In May 2012, bestselling author Neil Gaiman stood at a podium at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts to deliver the commencement address. For the next nineteen minutes he shared his thoughts about creativity, bravery, and strength: he encouraged the students before him to break rules and think outside the box. Most of all, he encouraged the fledgling painters, musicians, writers, and dreamers to make good art."

Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Step

by Kelly Williams Brown

I have confidence in Meg Jay, author of The Defining Decade, who says, "Twentysomethings who are looking for a silver bullet will find it here in the form of 468 silver pellets. Without a doubt, one (or a hundred) of these pellets will change your relationship or your career or your mind or your potatoes, all of which matter in adulthood."

Books for figuring out what to do with the rest of your life

1,000 Places to See Before You Die

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter–And How to Make the Most of Them Now

How to Cook Everything: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food

The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost: A Memoir of Three Continents, Two Friends, and One Unexpected Adventure

The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need

Lean In for Graduates

In, But Not Of

MAYBE YOU SHOULD FLY A JET!

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar

Make Good Art

Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Step

Find your next read with:

100 Book recommendations
for every mood

Books for figuring out what to do with the rest of your life

Find your next read with:

100 Book recommendations for every mood

100 Book recommendations
for every mood