Advice Books Every Millennial Needs on Their Shelf

In the opening pages of her bestseller Everything is Figureoutable, Marie Forleo writes, “No matter what you’re facing, you have what it takes to figure anything out and become the person you’re meant to be.” Throughout the chapters that follow, Forleo masterfully intertwines moments from her own life with manageable tips for achieving your goals and living a fulfilling life on your terms. Each page is filled with readymade mantras that will help you manifest your dreams.

Each of the stories within Akilah Hughes’ memoir hum with humor and heart. An illuminating examination of identity, race, gender, and coming of age, Hughes’ reflections give readers the opportunity to reexamine their own lives, to celebrate their triumphs, and to fight for what they believe in. A memorable roadmap for thriving in a constantly changing world, Obviously is a must-read for anyone trying to life their best life.

Jason Headley’s F*ck That takes an unapologetically candid approach to meditative mindfulness. LOL-worthy and infused with wisdom, Headley’s musings are the perfect antidote for coping with the ups and downs of postmodern life. It’s an intentional tool for staving off meltdowns after reading the news, surviving weekends in your hometown, and the passive aggression of student loan creditors. F*ck That is the perfect book for learning how to “breathe in strength, and breathe out bulls*t.”

Susan Cain, the author who sparked the Quiet Revolution, challenges readers to consider the radical power of being an introvert and the dangers of blindly embracing “the Extrovert Ideal.” Chapter by chapter, Quiet charts the benefits and strengths that we can gain as individuals and as a culture by reorienting our understanding of what it means to be an introvert.

Inspired by the millennial collective theSkimm, How to Skimm Your Life is a primer for manifesting the glow up you’ve been yearning for. From how to negotiate your salary and pep talks to get you through the weekly grind to picking out an affordable wine or how to cultivate an eco-friendly lifestyle, this New York Times bestseller possesses all the necessary lifehacks you’ve been searching for.

Ali Wong’s highly anticipated memoir Dear Girls stiches together earnest confessions, advice, and intimate remembrances with seamless dexterity. Written as a collection of letters to her daughters, Wong’s debut candidly recounts the complexities, joys, and struggles of navigating the world of comedy, reckoning with familial history, and motherhood. A revealingly earnest meditation on the healing power of humor, the limitless nature of love, and the way using your voice can change the world for the better.

In a series of essays and reflections, Nobel prize winner Toni Morrison delves deep into language’s capacity to uplift and destroy, why resistance and political awareness are essential to communal and individual transformation, and our potential as storytellers to conjure change. Much like Morrison’s prior books, The Source of Self-Regard is a masterfully crafted exploration of the American psyche and our potential to grow. A timely and life-altering read, this collection is an undeniable balm. Each page is a catalyst for revolution.

Mason Currey’s Daily Rituals: Women at Work offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of 143 artists and their relationships to creativity, work, and finding balance. Including iconic women like Octavia Butler, Coco Chanel, Maggie Nelson, Zadie Smith, and more, Daily Rituals is an inarguably stirring reminder of how creatives, dreamers, and makers of meaning have made the impossible possible and how we can do the same.

In the introduction to Rob Walker’s The Art of Noticing, the importance of paying attention takes center stage. “To stay eager, to connect, to find interest in the everyday, to notice what everybody else overlooks—these are vital skills and noble goals,” Walker writes. The pages that come after perceptively explore why paying attention is crucial to creativity, survival, and personal growth. The Art of Noticing is an inarguably eye-opening read.

In The New Rules of Work: The Muse Playbook for Navigating the Modern Workplace, the masterminds behind The Muse—Alexandra Cavoulacos and Kathryn Minshew—offer their audience a practical guide for getting more out of your career. Cavoulacos and Minshew encourage readers to be “curious and open to exploring all the many opportunities” that lie before them. An immersive and uplifting primer for cultivating a meaningful and innovative career.

“You are grown up enough. You are smart enough,” Erin Lowry assures readers in the opening of Broke Millennial Takes on Investing. In this savvy yet pragmatic guide on investment and cultivating wealth, the many myths that keep millennials from investing are dispelled. Filled with honesty, empathy, and realistic advice, this book will give you the confidence to plan for your financial future. With Lowry’s help, you’ll be able to afford that avocado toast without guilt or breaking the bank.

In Quit Like A Woman, Holly Whitaker—the founder of the Tempest Sobriety School—examines what it means to live in a world obsessed with alcohol and the power of making mindful choices. With bravery and sincerity, Whitaker unpacks the contradictions of our culture’s infatuation with health and wellness and its failure to reckon with the way narratives of addiction are often pushed to the margin. Quit Like a Woman is a memorably relatable and enlightening account of one woman’s journey toward sobriety.