Among some, Millennials are famous for instant gratification and short attention spans. To some degree those criticisms may be true, but they certainly aren’t true for everyone, and it’s certainly not something all young people should simply accept as inevitable. That is where books come in.
The internet is great. More than that, it’s revolutionary, it’s made it easier to access information than ever before in history. But knowledge and understanding are two entirely different things. You can get knowledge from the internet. You can, for instance, Google “What year did the American Revolution begin?” or “Why did it start?” But understanding, that is something that requires more time and effort. When it comes to true understanding, there is no substitute for books.
The problem, though, is that there are so many interesting titles! Don’t worry here’s a list of good books that are sure to be of value to young people.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F
In this book author Mark Manson argues that life’s struggles give it meaning, and that the mindless positivity of typical self-help books is neither practical nor helpful.
The Compound Effect: Multiply Your Success One Simple Step at a Time
Forget what you’ve been told about success and what it takes to achieve it.
“There is no magic bullet, secret formula, or quick fix,” writes Darren Hardy, a personal growth coach who previously served as editor of SUCCESS Magazine for eight years.
“The Compound Effect” is a short and easy read that will teach readers how to identify and eradicate the bad habits that hold them back from becoming unstoppable.
Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love
Psychiatrists Amir Levine and Rachel Heller reveal how a strong understanding of the attachment theory can help us find and sustain love.
According to the attachment theory, every person behaves in relationships in one of three distinct ways:
- Anxious: Often worrying about their partner’s ability to love them back.
- Avoidance: Equating intimacy with a loss of independence and constantly trying to minimize closeness.
- Secure: Comfortable with intimacy (usually warm and loving).
This book will help readers determine what attachment style they and their partner follow in order to build a stronger, more meaningful connection.
The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity
Infidelity is the ultimate betrayal, but it doesn’t always have to be. Relationship therapist Esther Perel takes a look at why people cheat and why affairs are so traumatic.
“The State of Affairs” isn’t just for anyone who has ever been cheated on, but millennials who simply want a new framework for understanding relationships will also find it helpful.
The Defining Decade: Why Your 20s Matter
This is the quintessential book about how to make the most of your 20s. Psychologist Meg Jay does a great job explaining why 20-somethings have been caught in swirl of hype and misinformation, much of which has trivialized what is actually the most defining decade of adulthood.
″’This book helped me figure out what I value, what I believe in and how to make decisions that I feel good about,” one patient in her mid-20s told me after I recommended this book.
Liminal Thinking: Create the Change You Want by Changing the Way You Think
“Liminal Thinking” will challenge readers to step outside of the beliefs they’ve been clinging to their entire lives.
Leadership consultant David Gray, whose area of focus is the human element of change and innovation, argues that in order to clarify our own thinking and make powerful connections with others, we need to identify and reframe the beliefs that hold us back.