25 Inspirational Books For Women in Their 20s

In an age where women are more or less expected to be seen and not heard, Alva Vanderbilt isn't settling.

A Well Behaved Woman tells the rich story of Alva's success in leading the Vanderbilt family to the highest ranks of Gilded Age society, while also asserting power within her marriage and becoming a leader in the women's suffrage movement.

If you love books about strong women breaking societal norms, this historical read needs to be at the top of your list.

From hitchhiking and petty theft to landing a spot on Forbes' list of the Richest Self-Made Women, Sophia Amoruso has quite the story to tell.

#GIRLBOSS is not only an interesting first person account of the founding of the Nasty Gal clothing brand, but is a witty, motivational book on everything no one has ever told you about entrepreneurship.

Described as a laugh-out-loud funny collection of personal essays, Mindy Kahling's Why Not Me? is a work that almost any twenty-something can relate to.

While you may not have tales of your own of working in Hollywood and meeting Bradley Cooper, the desire to find both joy and contentment in our lives is an ongoing journey — and one that Kahling leads us through in a fun, insightful, and meaningful way.

Whether you're addicted to the self help genre or generally steer clear of it, You are a Badass is a cheeky, enjoyable take on getting out of your comfort zone and finding success.

Stop doubting your greatness and start living the kind of life you used to be jealous of with this NYT Bestseller now.

Another inspirational memoir, Eat Pray Love documents Elizabeth Gilbert's choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (a marriage, home, and career), to figure out what she truly wants out of life.

While her journey leads Gilbert across the world and back, the emotional and spiritual discoveries she makes during this trip are ones that most any of us can relate to and enjoy.

Do you ever find yourself standing in your own way? Girl, Stop Apologizing was written for you.

Women have been conditioned to apologize for just about everything, but it all ends now when you pick up this book and discover Rachel Hollis' tried and true strategies to embracing and achieving your dreams — without ever having to apologize for it again.

Ever wonder what it is that makes people tick? Bestselling author Gretchen Rubin spent a year studying just that.

Wisdom of the ages combined with scientific research on how to bring more happiness into your life make this bestseller an interesting and inspirational read.

Life of the party and muse to one of the most famous writers of all time, Zelda Fitzgerald spent the last months of her life in a mental institution.

Z details the passionate, yet tumultuous relationship of the Fitzgeralds from a unique, untold angle that will leave you questioning if history really got Zelda Fitzgerald right, or if there indeed is more to her story.

At 26 years old, Cheryl Strayed set out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. She had no prior hiking experience.

On the trail, she must come to terms not only with the physical challenges of her journey, but also the emotional baggage of her mother's death, a recent divorce, and other issues that come to light throughout the book.

If you enjoy memoirs and books about self-discovery, this is the perfect inspirational read to add to your list.

If you desire to live a creative life, then Big Magic needs to be on your reading list.

Written by bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert, you'll learn strategies for not just honing your creative process, but getting the motivation that you need to actually follow through on those big ideas.

If you love stories based on real events, The Only Woman in the Room is an impactful bestseller based on screen star Hedy Lamarr's unbelievable history.

Possessing both brains and beauty, Lamarr fled Nazi Germany in disguise for a brave new life in the United States. Having overheard the Third Reich's plans while still in Germany, Lamarr kept more than her marriage and heritage secret upon arriving to the states: she was a scientist. And she had a few ideas that might help the U.S. fight off the Nazis...

The story of a strong woman living in a desperate time, this novel is an interesting and worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

If you're sick of the same old self help books, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is the book for you.

And don't worry, this isn't another book about staying positive and being the best you can be. Nope, it's about learning to...well, not give a f*ck.

Though she has been dead for over 60 years, Henrietta Lack's cells are still very much alive today. In fact, after they were taken without her knowledge, these cells became some of the most important tools in medical history.

So, what happens when Henrietta's family finds out about this deception more than 20 years after her death? An important look at race relations and the exploitation of African Americans in the United States, while also diving into the birth of bioethics, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is not a story to be missed.

What would happen if your motto became to "just say yes", in all aspects of your life?

Shonda Rimes, creator of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal, knows from personal experience the power a year of yes can have. Join her in the challenge in forgetting your fears and becoming your own unstoppable hero with this witty and intriguing self help book.

Another Marie Benedict historical novel, Lady Clementine details the story of one of the most influential women during World War I and World War II — Clementine Churchill.

A remarkable story about a remarkable woman in history, this read will keep you entertained and informed on the powerful women that have made up our world's history.

Social scientist Brene Brown has conversed with a wide range of people — from leaders in Fortune 500 companies and the military to artists, couples in long-term relationships, teachers, parents, etc.

In Rising Strong, you'll learn the common thread among all of these types of people and how they handle adversity, along with lifelong principles to handle struggles of your own.

A daily devotional to stoicism, The Daily Stoic offers classic philosophy in bite sized, digestible pieces.

Providing lessons about personal growth, mindfulness, and more, this is a great workbook that will keep teaching you something new and simulating thought all year long.

Despite your best efforts, does your apartment, home, or even life in general always seem to accumulate clutter?

This guide from popular Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo will teach you how to eliminate those things that no long "spark joy", for a more inspired and intentional space.

There's a Secret to success, and it might not be what you think. Learn the power of the Law of Attraction and manifesting your dreams with this popular self help book that's sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

Many of us have lost track of an old mentor or friend throughout the years. The same happened to Mitch Albom, who fell out of touch with a college professor from 20 years prior.

However, Mitch gets a second chance when he rediscovers Morrie during the last months of the older man's life. Tuesday's With Morrie chronicles that time spent together, providing wisdom and teachings that just can't be found in any other setting.

The Glass Castle is a shocking and intriguing memoir characterizing Jeannette Walls' unique journey from poverty-stricken childhood to life as a successful adult and published author.

The process of breaking away from an unconventional upbringing and dysfunctional family at the forefront of the memoir, Walls' story will captivate you, surprise you, and without a doubt inspire you.

If you're looking for a quick, yet emotionally raw read, this collection of poems is for you. Divided into four chapters, each section has its own purpose, tackling big themes like heartache, feminism, racism, and more.

A hybrid business and self help book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a must read no matter your age. Introducing theories such as the Maturity Continuum (the idea that there are three successive stages to increasing maturity), this is a great inspirational read for navigating your 20s and beyond.

Throughout life, we will all at some point or another face disappointment; that moment where our expectations are not met with reality.

It's Not Supposed to Be This Way tackles topics like anxiety, disappointment, unmet expectations, and more, leaving the reader with the tools to move forward with peace, confidence, and determination.

What if the life you were striving for was all a sham? Instead it turns out, you can forget the age old concept of retirement and experience life fully now.

With Tim Ferriss' The 4-Hour Workweek, you'll learn strategies to make more money in this digital world and yet work less. We know, it sounds too good to be true. Try it out for yourself, and see how it really works!