Essential Summer Reads for Adventurous 20-Somethings (71 books)

While the 20-something descriptor is every bit as ubiquitous as it is obnoxious, it does a fine job of identifying a wide swath of undergraduates, artists, those young to the workforce, and those aiming to figure out just who the hell they are. I've compiled a list of some of my favourite reads from a multitude of genres that help shape my outlook as a current 20-something. I hope that you too will find something that piques your interest and pushes your brain in odd new directions.

*Note: I will continue to add titles and revise!

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1	The Blindspots Between Us: How to Overcome Unconscious Cognitive Bias and Build Better Relationships by Gleb Tsipursky (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 280 ratings score: 1,795, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Adapt and Plan for the New Abnormal of the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic by Gleb Tsipursky (Goodreads Author) 4.48 avg rating — 108 ratings score: 1,483, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Pro Truth: A Practical Plan for Putting Truth Back Into Politics by Gleb Tsipursky (Goodreads Author) 4.40 avg rating — 123 ratings score: 1,467, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams: A Manual on Benchmarking to Best Practices for Competitive Advantage by Gleb Tsipursky (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 57 ratings score: 1,266, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Never Go With Your Gut: How Pioneering Leaders Make the Best Decisions and Avoid Business Disasters by Gleb Tsipursky (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 258 ratings score: 1,184, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Don't Close Your Eyes by Lynessa James (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 612 ratings score: 896, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Complicated Moonlight (DCYE, #2) by Lynessa Layne (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 312 ratings score: 893, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Freaks I've Met by Jans Donald 3.56 avg rating — 1,053 ratings score: 600, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Mad Love (DCYE, #3) by Lynessa Layne (Goodreads Author) 4.38 avg rating — 216 ratings score: 492, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	The Truth-Seeker’s Handbook: A Science-Based Guide by Gleb Tsipursky (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 78 ratings score: 480, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Anxiety by Danny Winter 4.05 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 389, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Pendulum has Swung too far by Karl Wiggins (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 12 ratings score: 278, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 3,414,008 ratings score: 268, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	The Rapture by Liz Jensen 3.30 avg rating — 2,488 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	We Wove a Web in Childhood: The Brontes at Home by Ruth Thomas 3.82 avg rating — 34 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Wrong Planet - Searching for your Tribe by Karl Wiggins (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 58 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	On the Road by Jack Kerouac 3.61 avg rating — 445,365 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco 4.14 avg rating — 393,054 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Bournemouth Boys and Boscombe Girls by Danny Winter 4.12 avg rating — 26 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	100 Common Sense Policies to make BRITAIN GREAT again by Karl Wiggins (Goodreads Author) 4.55 avg rating — 20 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Albion Imperilled by Ruth Thomas 3.82 avg rating — 61 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski 4.14 avg rating — 117,825 ratings score: 190, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Oryx and Crake (MaddAddam, #1) by Margaret Atwood (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 285,757 ratings score: 189, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Cabbie with a Dangerous Mind by Karl Wiggins (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 22 ratings score: 186, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Woody Notes, and Heat Sneaking up Fast by Danny Winter 4.57 avg rating — 14 ratings score: 186, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	White Boy in Watts by Karl Wiggins (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 34 ratings score: 185, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen 3.84 avg rating — 197,026 ratings score: 181, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	TWAS The Year 2020 by Karl Wiggins (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 36 ratings score: 177, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt 3.96 avg rating — 1,030,990 ratings score: 174, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz 3.89 avg rating — 277,622 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Aerisia: Land Beyond the Sunset (The Sunset Lands Beyond #1) by Sarah Ashwood (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 481 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon 3.89 avg rating — 1,587,123 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 3,520,751 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	After The Storm by Natalie P. Jenkins (Goodreads Author) 3.57 avg rating — 7 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Breath Between Waves by Charlotte Anne Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 263 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 247,966 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Heart of Shell (The Mercrutian Chronicles #1) by Zara Steen (Goodreads Author) 4.44 avg rating — 18 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Binding by Bridget Collins (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 87,009 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Magic Dark, Magic Divine (Warrior of the Divine Sword, #1) by A.J. Locke (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 235 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon 4.19 avg rating — 211,910 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Reparation: A Spiritual Journey by Maria Hall (Goodreads Author) 4.46 avg rating — 101 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	The Love Song of Ivy K. Harlowe by Hannah Moskowitz (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 614 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	The Magicians (The Magicians, #1) by Lev Grossman (Goodreads Author) 3.53 avg rating — 277,285 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Dangerous Games (DCYE, #4) by Lynessa Layne (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 78 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Hard Drive by Shae Connor (Goodreads Author) 3.43 avg rating — 46 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Empire of the Sun by J.G. Ballard 3.98 avg rating — 22,419 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Of Trust & Heart by Charlotte Anne Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 3.59 avg rating — 105 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	The Boscombe Boys by Mark Fuidge 3.71 avg rating — 28 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 236,342 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	East of the Sun by Julia Gregson (Goodreads Author) 3.71 avg rating — 8,534 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon 3.79 avg rating — 37,972 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (Goodreads Author) 4.45 avg rating — 1,718,127 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 65,290 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli 4.22 avg rating — 28,829 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell 4.01 avg rating — 266,244 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Coronado: Stories by Dennis Lehane (Goodreads Author) 3.40 avg rating — 4,237 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga 3.77 avg rating — 201,960 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) by Patrick Rothfuss (Goodreads Author) 4.52 avg rating — 1,071,933 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	The Road by Cormac McCarthy really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1,025,312 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Barney's Version by Mordecai Richler 4.17 avg rating — 13,574 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Factotum by Charles Bukowski 3.92 avg rating — 75,476 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee 4.34 avg rating — 113,330 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North 4.03 avg rating — 98,490 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	How I Became a Famous Novelist by Steve Hely (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 3,803 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Eastendbutchers Short Story Collection: Tales With Meat On The Bone by Joe Lawrence 4.78 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Power of One (The Power of One, #1) by Bryce Courtenay 4.36 avg rating — 94,052 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 4.10 avg rating — 1,472,811 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt 3.85 avg rating — 102,753 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell 3.85 avg rating — 100,108 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 655,324 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris 4.08 avg rating — 216,927 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars