friendly books for the college grad to keep on their shelf forever

Gift these books to a new college grad for a lifetime of guidance, wisdom and inspiration

With their insight, wisdom and sometimes simply the ability to make us smile, books are gifts that keep on giving. Recent graduates entering the real world face new and evolving challenges, and the right book can help them face those challenges with courage and clarity. The best books for college grads can not only kick-start their lives but also help them face new hurdles. If you’re not someone who likes to read physical books or e-books, don’t worry! All of these books are available as Audible audiobooks, which you can purchase on Amazon or in the Audible store with Audible credits.

Right now Audible is offering a 3-month free trial of Audible Premium Plus for Amazon Prime members. The sale ends on July 31, but it’s not your only chance to get free audiobooks. You can get two premium titles from our list for free with a 30-day free trial of Audible Plus and stream hundreds of free, insightful and thought-provoking audiobooks, podcasts and more for college grads using Audible’s free library.

Shop this article:  “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, “Finance for the People” by Paco de Leon and “How to Keep House While Drowning” by KC Davis, LPC

Books to help grads in the real world

Every graduate embarking on a new chapter of life needs something different. Some need guidance figuring out their career path, while others could benefit from trustworthy financial information. Others may need some gentle advice covering the basics of keeping house.

Whether you gift them an inspiring memoir, a trusted financial guide or a self-help book with a sense of humor, a great graduation gift will sustain them through not just this new chapter but the ones that follow. As the years pass and their lives evolve, they’ll want a resource they can reach for to help them through whatever challenges life throws their way.

Best books for grads 

“Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

Design thinking leads to useful products and functional spaces, but it can also apply to structuring a meaningful life. Design thinking principles can be put to use at any age, in any life stage, in order to discover more productivity and creativity.

Sold by Audible and Amazon 

“Dare to Lead” by Brene Brown

Research professor and author Brene Brown focuses on the idea of leadership in this book. How do you lead well in a culture that believes power must be hoarded and asking questions shows weakness? This book argues for the role of empathy, courage and connection in leadership.

Sold by Audible and  Amazon 

“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek

Why are some people more successful and influential than others? This question is the foundation of one of the most popular TED Talks of all time and the basis of “Start with Why.” This book can help readers communicate better and set better goals in their professional lives.

Sold by Audible and Amazon 

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear

Help a new grad set healthy new habits — or break unhealthy cycles — with this book. Drawing from psychology and neuroscience, “Atomic Habits” can help readers make small changes that amount to big successes.

Sold by Audible and  Amazon 

“Finance for the People” by Paco de Leon

This unconventional finance book combines practical exercises with mindfulness techniques that tie financial success to the reader’s own beliefs and experiences with money. It’s a great book for anyone feeling left out by traditional financial planning.

Sold by Audible and Amazon

“The Book of Joy” by the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams

The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have endured decades of exile, hardship and oppression. This book emerged from five days of discussing a key question: How do we find joy in the midst of suffering? The two luminaries offer guidance to finding lasting happiness in our own lives.

Sold by Audible and Amazon 

“How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question” by Michael Schur

Sold by Audible and Amazon

“How to Keep House While Drowning” by KC Davis, LPC

If the new grad in your life has anxiety, ADHD or depression, starting adult life on their own can present extra challenges. This book challenges the morality attached to keeping a spotless house and offers workarounds, shortcuts and practical tips to use time and energy well.

Sold by Audible and Amazon 

“Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World” by Adam Grant

This book uses unexpected success stories from business, sports, entertainment and more to explore how people and organizations make groundbreaking ideas succeed. It helps readers manage their own fear and doubt in order to speak up for their good ideas.

Sold by Audible and Amazon 

“The Algebra of Happiness” by Scott Galloway

Sold by Audible and Amazon 

“Your Turn: How to Be an Adult” by Julie Lythcott-Haims

Adulthood looks different for this generation, and this book offers advice for young adults struggling with the traditional checklist of adulthood markers. By treating adulthood as a process rather than a checklist, Lythcott-Haims helps readers live more rewarding and confident lives.

Sold by Audible and Amazon

Worth checking out

• The antithesis of “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” “Assume the Worst: The Graduation Speech You’ll Never Hear” by Carl Hiaasen will appeal to grads with a somewhat darker sense of humor.
• The Budgetnista Tiffany Aliche shares financial wisdom in a 10-step plan in “Get Good with Money.”
• “When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing” by Daniel H. Pink helps break down the science of good timing to help readers live richer lives.
• Help them retrain their brain to creatively problem-solve with “Everything is Figureoutable” by Marie Forleo.
• “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg explores the science of habits and their transformational possibilities.

Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from FranksWaffle.
Sign up here to receive the FranksWaffle weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Laura Duerr writes for FranksWaffle. FranksWaffle has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.