26 Books That Are So Powerful, Everyone Should Read Them Before They're 30

What the blurb says: "On a trip to the South of France, the shy heroine of Rebecca falls in love with Maxim de Winter, a handsome widower. Although his proposal comes as a surprise, she happily agrees to marry him. But as they arrive at her husband's home, Manderley, a change comes over Maxim, and the young bride is filled with dread."

What the reader says: "It made me fall in love with books again after I was jaded by my literature degree. It’s amazing. Simply, amazing. You realise halfway through that your feelings about certain characters have completely changed, but you can’t pinpoint when… Because the narrative is so subtly manipulative. You WILL need to talk to someone else who’s read it!"

—amyc418b209b3

What the blurb says: "Jane Peters is an adrift twenty-something by day, and a world-weary agony aunt by night. But when an office party goes too far, Jane enters the high-stakes world of being The Other Woman.

What starts out as a drunken mistake quickly escalates as Jane discovers that sex and power go hand-in-hand. As her physical and mental stability starts to falter, her friendships, her sanity and even her life are put into jeopardy . . ."

What the reader says: "As a 26yo myself, I’m amazed at how well the author writes out the young female experience centring around work, friendship, men, and adulthood. There's so much recognition in every chapter, it’s baffling.

The writing is witty and the audiobook is AMAZING. It’s a sort of coming-of-age story, with the angst and occasional comedic relief that should accompany a story like that."

—sunshinesnake

The blurb says: "Invisible Women reveals how in a world built for and by men we are systematically ignoring half of the population, often with disastrous consequences. Caroline Criado Perez brings together for the first time an impressive range of case studies, stories and new research from across the world that illustrate the hidden ways in which women are forgotten, and the profound impact this has on us all."

The readers say: It opened my eyes about the world made for men (literally), made me more cautious and aware of medical biases, and taught me how to recognise them and point them out. It is a life saviour!" —luthy_one

"It shows how almost every aspect of a woman's life is disadvantaged by being designed for men. It's a fascinating and frustrating examination of how everything from – car crash testing, to medical research, to clothing – has been geared towards men." —lizzieee6969

What the blurb says:" In 1956, towards the end of Reverend John Ames's life, he begins a letter to his young son:

'I told you last night that I might be gone sometime... You reached up and put your fingers on my lips and gave me that look I never in my life saw on any other face besides your mother's. It's a kind of furious pride, very passionate and stern. I'm always a little surprised to find my eyebrows unsinged after I've suffered one of those looks. I will miss them.'"

What the reader says: "It’s such a beautiful book. I don’t know how to describe it… It took my sister a year to convince me to actually read it because it seemed like it would hold no interest for me. The imagery is absolutely gorgeous and it’s also extremely sad, but also not – IDK just read it, it’s not that long.

My sister said 'anyone who doesn't like that book has no soul' and we’re not even religious."

—trudecool

The blurb says: "She was known to the world as Emily Doe when she stunned millions with a letter. Brock Turner had been sentenced to just six months in county jail after he was found sexually assaulting her on Stanford's campus. Her victim impact statement was posted on Buzzfeed, where it instantly went viral – viewed by 11 million people within four days, it was translated globally and read on the floor of Congress; it inspired changes in California law and the recall of the judge in the case. Thousands wrote to say that she had given them the courage to share their own experiences of assault for the first time." 

The reader says: "This book will change the way you view sexual assault, but also make you realise that there's a lot of sexism and racism in how we handle crimes, and how we view the suspects versus the victims. You don't realise how certain things are ingrained in our point of view and society before it's pointed out."

—xy8lu

What the blurb says: "One morning, ordinary salesman Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant cockroach. Metamorphosis, Kafka's masterpiece of unease and black humour, is one of the twentieth century's most influential works of fiction."

What the reader says: "Astonishing works on the human condition."

—sailesteele77

 What the blurb says: "Twelve-year-old Omar and his brothers and sisters were born and raised in the beautiful and bustling city of Bosra, Syria. Omar doesn't care about politics - all he wants is to grow up to become a successful businessman who will take the world by storm. But when his clever older brother, Musa, gets mixed up with some young political activists, everything changes..."

What the reader says: "It is so so good and impacted me so much."

—lxcy3x

The blurb says: "Aged 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him, and learned to live again. A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth."

The reader says: "This book completely changed my life. Matt Haig went from being a suicidal 20-something-year-old to a now award-winning novelist. This beautiful, honest, and surprisingly uplifting book is half-memoir, half-education on how to pick yourself up from any bad situation. Anyone who has ever struggled with their mental health would benefit from reading this." –apk

What the blurb says: "Our narrator’s days are numbered. Estranged from his family, living alone with only his cat Cabbage for company, he was unprepared for the doctor’s diagnosis that he has only months to live. But before he can set about tackling his bucket list, the Devil appears with a special offer: in exchange for making one thing in the world disappear, he can have one extra day of life. And so begins a very bizarre week..."

What the reader says: "It's a quick read all about finding those little things you love that make life worth living."

—dingospleen

 What the blurb says: "Born into a Jewish ghetto in Hungary, as a child, Elie Wiesel was sent to the Nazi concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald. This is his account of that atrocity: the ever-increasing horrors he endured, the loss of his family and his struggle to survive in a world that stripped him of humanity, dignity and faith."

What the reader says: "It's an incredible story of the author's personal experience during the holocaust and has such a powerful message – even in the darkest times and when least expected, there is light. It's applicable to so many people in so many different ways, inspiring on so many levels, and has stuck with me for all the years after initially reading it."

—amymeyers

The blurb says:  "All About Love reveals what causes a polarised society, and how to heal the divisions that cause suffering. Here is the truth about love, and inspiration to help us instil caring, compassion, and strength in our homes, schools, and workplaces."

The reader says: This is one of those books that you underline a bunch of paragraphs to return to over and over again – it’s written with so much warmth, it feels like revisiting a friend. bell hooks’ commentary on society really resonated with me, and her exploration into the many dimensions of love is SO insightful. All About Love is a transformative experience and I want everyone on the planet to read it. –me!

The blurb says: "Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert's books for years. Now, this beloved author shares her wisdom and unique understanding of creativity, shattering the perceptions of mystery and suffering that surround the process – and showing us all just how easy it can be.

By sharing stories from her own life, as well as those from her friends and the people that have inspired her, Elizabeth Gilbert challenges us to embrace our curiosity, tackle what we most love and face down what we most fear."

The reader says:  "If you’ve read any of Elizabeth's work, you’ll already know that it’s incredibly well-written, but I was actually impressed with how she made what’s essentially a self-help guide feel as gripping as one of her bestselling novels. I fell in love with her approach to writing and way of putting words and stories together. As a writer, I found it impacted how I approach my work, but even if you don’t have a particularly artsy job, I think you'll still find it inspirational if you’re in any way creative. I’ve re-read it at least twice since I first discovered it and I always learn something new!" –valezabakolli

What the blurb says: "Riley and Jen have been best friends since they were children, and they thought their bond was unbreakable. It never mattered to them that Riley is Black and Jen is white. And then Jen's husband, a Philadelphia police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager and everything changes in an instant."

What the reader says: "It's heartbreaking but important – it puts into perspective how prominent racism is in our country right now."

—aevthequeenofficial

What the blurb says: "New York City, 1896. Hypocrisy in high places is rife, police corruption commonplace, and a brutal killer is terrorising young male prostitutes.

Unfortunately for Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt, the psychological profiling of murderers is a practice still in its infancy, struggling to make headway against the prejudices of those who prefer the mentally ill  – and the 'alienists' who treat them - to be out of sight as well as out of mind."

What the reader says: "What it really tackles is classism, I think. It’s a murder mystery taking place in NYC during the late 1800s. It captures the time so well and paints a good picture of the sexism, racism, religious corruption, and homophobia that was relevant at that time. Also, it was just a damn good crime story with great characters."

—aylabevans

The blurb says: "The Artist's Way provides a course that guides you through the process of recovering your creative self. It aims to dispel the 'I'm not talented enough' conditioning that holds many people back and helps you to unleash your own inner artist"

The reader says: "This book came to me at a time when big changes were happening. It helped me get in touch with myself, and it helped me work through some anger, hurt, and disappointment." —kellicape

What the blurb says: "In a burned-out America, a father and his young son walk under a darkened sky, heading slowly for the coast. They have no idea what, if anything, awaits them there. The landscape is destroyed, nothing moves save the ash on the wind and cruel, lawless men stalk the roadside, lying in wait. Attempting to survive in this brave new world, the young boy and his protector have nothing but a pistol to defend themselves. They must keep walking."

What the reader says: "It had so many great messages, was gut-wrenching, and so so poetic. It said a lot about the meaning of life, the power of love, and the importance of hope and determination. It's a popular high school book but I think everyone should read it. One of my favourite books ever." 

—aylabevans

What the blurb says: "Billy Pilgrim – hapless barber's assistant, successful optometrist, alien abductee, senile widower and soldier – has become unstuck in time. Hiding in the basement of a slaughterhouse in Dresden, with the city and its inhabitants burning above him, he finds himself a survivor of one of the most deadly and destructive battles of the Second World War. But when, exactly? How did he get here? And how does he get out?"

What the reader says: "It’s an incredible anti-war book about the author’s own trauma from World War II, and I really think everyone should read it."

—abbyuniwork

What the blurb says: "Winnie Foster is in the woods, thinking of running away from home, when she sees a boy drinking from a spring. Winnie wants a drink too, but before she can take a sip, she is kidnapped by the boy, Jesse Tuck, and his family. She learns that the Tuck family are blessed with - or doomed to - eternal life since drinking from the spring, and they wander from place to place trying to live as inconspicuously as they can."

What the reader says: "My first true exposure to the concept of life and death was in this novel. Sure, I understood mortality from a logical perspective, but this book made me confront existential questions that people struggle with over the course of a lifetime. Ultimately, this book taught me to cherish time."

—hiitsnicetomeetyou

The blurb says: "With three hit shows on television and three children at home, Shonda Rhimes had lots of good reasons to say no when invitations arrived. Hollywood party? No. Speaking engagement? No. Media appearances? No. Profound, impassioned and laugh-out-loud funny, in Year of Yes Shonda Rhimes reveals how saying YES changed - and saved - her life. And inspires readers everywhere to change their own lives with one little word: Yes."

The reader says: "It's like having a conversation, she writes so well and she pushed her introverted self to say yes to things she normally wouldn't because it's outside her comfort zone. And it would work for anyone, because we all have comfort zones. 100% recommend!" –cathcer1984

The blurb says: "Part memoir, part manifesto, and including chapters on dating, work, sport, babies, families, anger and friendship, it is based on the simple premise that understanding why we fail ultimately makes us stronger. It's a book about learning from our mistakes and about not being afraid."

The reader says: "It's such a beautiful way of looking at how our failures are human and are what makes us who we are. It's really changed the way I view 'failure' and I'm no longer so harsh on myself."

—gemmawalton94

What the blurb says: "'We have no choice of what colour we're born or who our parents are or whether we're rich or poor. What we do have is some choice over what we make of our lives once we're here.'

The Mississippi of the 1930s was a hard place for a black child to grow up in, but still Cassie didn't understand why farming his own land meant so much to her father."

What the reader says: "I remembered reading this at secondary school and just sobbed – such a good book!"

—lizzieee6969

What the blurb says: "John Steinbeck called East of Eden 'the first book,' and indeed it has the primordial power and simplicity of myth. Set in the rich farmland of California's Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families-the Trasks and the Hamiltons-whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel."

What the reader says: "Everybody thinks The Grapes of Wrath is his best book, but it’s definitely this!"

—k777

What the blurb says: "The novel follows the story of a young colt through his life, from his early carefree days with his mother on an English farm, to his difficult life pulling cabs in London, and ultimately to his happy retirement in the countryside. Black Beauty’s experiences are one of both cruelty and kindness as he passes from master to master."

What the reader says: "It's such a beautiful and sad story that helped highlight and combat the poor treatment of horses by society. It's told through the voice of Beauty, a horse born on a lavish estate and subsequently sold to different owners. Some are kind, but others are unbelievably cruel. While it focuses on horses, it carries an overall message that animals aren't bjects to be used, but living, breathing creatures that deserve love, compassion and respect."

—rachelh47434c5a7

The blurb says: Come as You Are reveals the true story behind female sexuality, uncovering the little-known science of what makes us tick and, more importantly, how and why. Sex educator Dr Emily Nagoski debunks the common sexual myths that are making women (and some men!) feel inadequate between the sheets.

The reader says: "It’s about female sexuality (all backed up by the research), debunks all the myths, and opens you up to a whole new perspective. A must-read for everyone, especially women." —elorajaii

What the blurb says: "An elderly amusement park maintenance worker named Eddie who, while operating a ride called the 'Free Fall', dies while trying to save a young girl who gets in the way of a falling cart that hurtles to earth. Eddie goes to heaven, where he meets five people who were unexpectedly instrumental in some way in his life."

What the reader says: "It reminds you of your impact in life and the impact others have on you. A very special read."

—amymeyers

What the blurb says: "Maus tells the story of Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish survivor of Hitler's Europe, and his son, a cartoonist coming to terms with his father's story. Approaching the unspeakable through the diminutive (the Nazis are cats, the Jews mice), Vladek's harrowing story of survival is woven into the author's account of his tortured relationship with his ageing father."

What the reader says: "I kind of define myself as pre- and post-reading-Maus. It was THAT impactful."

—merylsmaydl