Turning 25 is kind of a big deal, since you are halfway home to 30 years old and yet still young and learning the world. You're basically not a "girl" exactly but not yet a "woman," word to Britney Spears. Still, 25 is usually the year when you start thinking you should take being an adult seriously. It's when you start obsessing over some of the things you always thought were for old people and caring about keeping yourself inspired enough to maintain at least a halfway decent career.
You're about to experience so many adventures and overcome so many struggles, so it's fine to be scared and excited at the same time. You're also going to need as much inspiration and support as you can get, so why not turn to books for some of it?
To help you along, here are a few books to read for inspiration when you turn the big 25 that should let you know you're not alone in some of the struggles you will inevitably face.
1. Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office by Lois P.
Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office, $11, Amazon
This book teaches you all of the ways that society has socialized women to not assert themselves and get what they want in the workplace, and how to unlearn these behaviors.
2. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, $5, Amazon
Writing by the late poet, Maya Angelou, is ever timeless. Let her first memoir, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, inspire you to embrace who you are and to put your best foot forward to survive trauma you might face in your life.
3. #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
The former CEO of the fashion brand, NastyGal, wrote a memoir that will inspire you to chase your dreams in your personal and professional life.
4. Lock & Key by Sarah Dessen
Lock & Key, $7, Amazon
This coming-of-age fiction story is actually a YA book with pretty mature subject matter. The storyline follows Ruby, a young woman forced to take care of herself after her mother, who has a drinking habit, neglects her.
Her sister ends up taking her into her home and Ruby goes on a journey to discover what it is to be truly wanted. The book is a captivating read about learning your worth and allowing yourself to accept the good that comes your way.
5. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Their Eyes Were Watching God, $12, Amazon
Janie Crawford's story is one about womanhood and how we define it outside of men. She has three key relationships in this film and each one hits her at a point in life, teaching her something new about herself. By the end of the book, Janie is a different, stronger woman.
6. I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan
I Almost Forgot About You, $10, Amazon
Believe it or not, this book is about a 40-something woman named Dr. Georgia Young, but don't get un-hooked just yet. Georgia's story is about what happens when you're a woman who "has it all" in terms of her career and worldly possessions, but is still bored to death and wanting a change.
It's the perfect "just do it, just follow your dream" push you'll need to start that new thing you need to start in your life.
7. The Misadventures Of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae
The Misadventures Of The Awkward Black Girl, $10, Amazon
Issa Rae is television's new "It Girl," thanks to her new HBO show, Insecure, which she co-writes and produces. Before there was Insecure though, she was an author telling the world about how she created her first hit web series called Awkward Black Girl. Her book is also filled with her thoughts on all aspects of the social and dating life, as well as her journey to self-love and being content with her own company.
8. I Don't Belong To You by KeKe Palmer
I Don't Belong To You, $14, Amazon
KeKe Palmer's memoir/self-help book will inspire you to be true to yourself and not let anyone take advantage of your value.
9. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Americanah, $6, Amazon
This book will literally soothe you and you'll relate if you've ever been in a situation where you felt completely out of place and invisible.
10. The Art Of Asking by Amanda Palmer
The Art Of Asking, $9, Amazon
Read about the importance of not carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders and reaching out to the people around you who can be there for you in different ways. This book is all about abandoning your pride and admitting you don't have it all together because, well, no one does.
11. Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth by Warsan Shire
Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth, $7, Amazon
Warsan Shire is a has a way of telling you all of your business with the most beautiful words strung together in poems. Yes, she's the one who wrote the poems in Beyoncé's Lemonade film, but she's been doing this thing a long time. Her book is the perfect exploration of womanhood that will definitely let you know that you aren't the only one going through your experiences.
12. Graduates In Wonderland by Jessica Pan and Rachel Kapelke-Dale
Graduates In Wonderland, $7, Amazon
This memoir follows two post-graduates who are trying to navigate life after college with all of its ups and downs. Sound like you!? Exactly! Let this book serve as inspiration that life gets harder, but it also gets better.
Add these books to your summer reading list and know that your 25th birthday is just the first day of the rest of your life. Enjoy it.
