29 Best 20-Year-Old Books of All Time

We've ranked the best 20-year-old books using expert recommendations, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. At Shortform, we know books. Our book guides are the best in the world. Learn why.

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter - and How to Make the Most of Them Now book cover1

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

Meg Jay

5.0
Our "thirty-is-the-new-twenty" culture tells us the twentysomething years don't matter. Some say they are a second adolescence. Others call them an emerging adulthood. Dr. Meg Jay, a clinical psychologist, argues that twentysomethings have been caught in a swirl of hype and misinformation, much of which has trivialized what is actually the most defining decade of adulthood.

Drawing from a decade o
Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money - That The Poor And Middle Class Do Not! book cover2

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money - That The Poor And Middle Class Do Not!

Robert T. Kiyosaki

5.0
In Rich Dad Poor Dad, the #1 Personal Finance book of all time, Robert Kiyosaki shares the story of his two dad: his real father, whom he calls his ‘poor dad,’ and the father of his best friend, the man who became his mentor and his ‘rich dad.’ One man was well educated and an employee all his life, the other’s education was “street smarts” over traditional classroom education and he took the path
3

Pestilence (The Four Horsemen Book 1)

Laura Thalassa

4.9
They came to earth--Pestilence, War, Famine, Death--four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world. Four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity. They came to earth, and they came to end us all.

When Pestilence comes for Sara Burn’s town, one thing is certain: everyone she knows and loves is marked for death. Unless, of course, the angelic-looking horsema
4

The Manual to Manhood: How to Cook the Perfect Steak, Change a Tire, Impress a Girl & 97 Other Skills You Need to Survive

Jonathan Catherman

4.9
There's a lot a guy needs to know as he grows up and makes his way in the world. And a lot of it, he wouldn't necessarily want to have to ask about because then, well, people would know he didn't know what he was doing! For all the guys out there who want to have it all together, Jonathan Catherman offers this collection of one hundred step-by-step instructions on almost everything a guy needs to
5

101 Secrets for Your Twenties

Paul Angone

4.9
Every twenty-something needs a little black book of secrets. Our twenties are filled with confusion, terrible jobs, anticipation, disappointment, cubicles, break-ups, transition, quarter-life crisis, loneliness, post-college what the heck, moderate success sandwiched in-between complete failure, and we need a worn, weathered guide stashed somewhere close by to help shed some light on this defining
6

Twenty Something: The Quarter-Life Crisis of Jack Lancaster

Iain Hollingshead

4.9
Twenty-five is far too young to be having a mid-life crisis, but Jack Lancaster is going to make a go of it anyway, and give it his best shot.

Two complicated ladies and an awful job with an even more awful boss is only half the size of it. Dimly aware that a life taken up with Excel spreadsheets and bottom lines is no life at all, our hero sets out to sabotage his career and save his soul. Superhu
7

Az Dot To Dot

School Zone, Joan Hoffman, et al.

4.9
Junie B. Jones's First Boxed Set Ever! (Junie B. Jones, #1-4) book cover8

Junie B. Jones's First Boxed Set Ever! (Junie B. Jones, #1-4)

Barbara Park and Denise Brunkus

4.9
The Barnes & Noble Review
Soak up some sassy and fresh stories in this fabulous box set from everybody's favorite kindergartner, Junie B. Jones. This four-book collection chronicles the first four adventures in the highly popular series from award-winning writer Barbara Park. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth,
9

Your Happy Heart: How Helping Others Helps You, Too

Amie Dean and Susan Keeter

4.9
10

20 Lessons From A 20 Year Old F*ckup: What I wish I knew When I was Younger

Alex Alexander Trubnikov

4.9
11

Toddler Coloring Book. Numbers Colors Shapes: Baby Activity Book for Kids Age 1-3, Boys or Girls, for Their Fun Early Learning of First Easy Words about Shapes & Numbers, Counting While Coloring!

Olivia O. Arnett

4.9
A perfect learning activity workbook for toddlers, either boys or girls for their fun & exciting learning of basic shapes, numbers, and counting, all done while super fun coloring!

This very book, "Toddler Coloring Book. Numbers Colors Shapes: Baby Activity Book for Kids Age 1-3, Boys or Girls, for Their Fun Early Learning of First Easy Words about Shapes & Numbers, Counting While Coloring!", conta
12

101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties: (And Let's Be Honest, Your Thirties Too)

Paul Angone

4.9
Adulting got you down?

Whether you just polished off your college graduation cake, are in your twenties or thirties struggling through a quarter-life crisis, you're simply trying to figure out how to become all grown up, or you're a parent looking for that perfect college graduation gift or Christmas gift for your twentysomething, 101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties is the book for you.
Dr. Atkins' Vita-Nutrient Solution: Nature's Answer to Drugs book cover13

Dr. Atkins' Vita-Nutrient Solution: Nature's Answer to Drugs

Robert C. Atkins

4.9
THE HEALING POWER OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Long a champion of complementary medicine and nutritional therapy, Dr. Robert Atkins, author of the #1 best-seller Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, presents the scientific basis for the use of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, and hormones in the treatment and prevention of many of the chronic illnesses that plague us today. These vita-nutrients h
Cattle Kingdom: The Hidden History of the Cowboy West book cover14

Cattle Kingdom: The Hidden History of the Cowboy West

Christopher Knowlton

4.8
“The best all-around study of the American cowboy ever written. Every page crackles with keen analysis and vivid prose about the Old West. A must-read!” — Douglas Brinkley, author of The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America

The open-range cattle era lasted barely a quarter century, but it left America irrevocably changed. Cattle Kingdom reveals how the West rose and f
15

20 Tips For A 20 Year Old: Simple everyday tips that will transform your life and put you on the path to success

Taylor Del Giudice

4.8
16

Final Fantasy VIII Official Strategy Guide

David Cassady

4.8
BradyGAMES-Final Fantasy VIII Official Strategy Guide Features:
Detailed Walkthroughs Boss Strategies Item & Magic Lists Complete Bestiary and over 450 Full-Color Maps!
The ONLY Official Guide! Platform: PlayStation Genre: RPG
17

Playful Preschool Piano Teaching: How to teach piano to 3-5 year olds with listening, learning and laughter (Books for music teachers)

Nicola Cantan

4.8
Man Up!: 367 Classic Skills for the Modern Guy book cover18

Man Up!: 367 Classic Skills for the Modern Guy

Paul O'Donnell

4.8
From career to relationships and grooming to gaming and more, the guys’ ultimate man-ual for living.

For every guy too intimidated to ask a question for fear of seeming inexperienced and unworldly, here’s a book to answer all (or most!) of life’s pressing quandaries: Howdo you break off a friendship when it’s not working any longer? What should you cook when a date is coming over for dinner? How d
The Encyclopedia of Country Living, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Original Manual for Living off the Land & Doing It Yourself book cover19

The Encyclopedia of Country Living, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Original Manual for Living off the Land & Doing It Yourself

Carla Emery

4.8
20

National Geographic Kids Guide to Photography: Tips & Tricks on How to Be a Great Photographer From the Pros & Your Pals at My Shot

Nancy Honovich and Annie Griffiths

4.8
In the age of smartphones and selfies, why not learn from the pros how to take great photos to share with friends and family! Here's a fun, fact-filled, kid-friendly guide that is jam-packed with all the essentials for budding photographers. From how to set up a shot and stage the lighting and from the best software to short assignments, you'll learn all the important photographic concepts and bas
21

Pugs - The Owner's Guide from Puppy to Old Age Choosing, Caring for, Grooming, Health, Training and Understanding Your Pug Dog or Puppy

Alex Seymour

4.8
22

The 5-Ingredient College Cookbook: Healthy Meals with Only 5 Ingredients in Under 30 Minutes

Pamela Ellgen

4.8
Just because you're in college doesn't mean you have to eat like it. With The 5-Ingredient College Cookbook, you can cook simple, delicious meals on the tightest of budgets and in the smallest of spaces.

College food has developed quite the culinary "reputation." Most students don't have the time, money, or space to make meals like mom used to, so words like fast, cheap, and microwavable have beco
Badass Affirmations: The Wit and Wisdom of Wild Women book cover23

Badass Affirmations: The Wit and Wisdom of Wild Women

Becca Anderson

4.8
A funny, inspirational banquet of delicious bon mots, quips, and unforgettable one-liners from movie stars, musicians, politicians, and women writers. Sometimes shocking, always entertaining, everyone from Rihanna to Rosie to Dr. Ruth to Margaret Atwood weighs in on the meaning of life with badass women wit and timeless wisdom.
24

The Lost Empire of Atlantis: History's Greatest Mystery Revealed

Gavin Menzies

4.8
“Tremendous. This guy has done history like you would not believe.”
—Glenn Beck

The secrets of history’s most enduring mystery are finally revealed in The Lost Empire of Atlantis. Through impeccable research and intelligent speculation, Gavin Menzies, the New York Times bestselling author of 1421, uncovers the truth behind the mysterious “lost” city of Atlantis—making the startling claim that the “A
25

The Early Childhood Coaching Handbook

Dathan Rush Ed.D.CCC-SLP, M'Lisa Shelden PTPh.D., et al.

4.8
Evidence-based and highly effective, coaching helps early childhood practitioners support other professionals and families as they enhance existing knowledge, develop new skills, and promote healthy development of young children. This hands-on guide shows professionals how to conduct skillful coaching in any setting—home, school, or community.

An expanded, more practical follow-up to the groundbrea
26

Step by Step Guide Book on Home Wiring

Ray McReynolds, Elaine McReynolds, et al.

4.8
27

Chinese Negotiating Behavior

Richard H. Solomon and Chas. W. FreemanJr.

4.7
After two decades of hostile confrontation, China and the United States initiated negotiations in the early 1970s to normalize relations. Senior officials of the Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan administrations had little experience dealing with the Chinese, but they soon learned that their counterparts from the People s Republic were skilled negotiators.This study of Chinese negotiating behavior e
28

Penny Whistle Christmas Party Book: Including Hanukkah, New Year's, and Twelfth Night Family Parties

Meredith Brokaw

4.7
The season will glow with warmth and good feeling for families lucky enough to spend the holidays with these two expert party planners. Imaginative party ideas include a White Christmas extravaganza, a Tree-Trimming party, two great Hanukkah parties, and a New Year's brunch. 2-color line drawings throughout.
29

Outsmarting Autism, Updated and Expanded: Build Healthy Foundations for Communication, Socialization, and Behavior at All Ages

Patricia S. Lemer

4.7