20 books to read in your 20s *fiction*

[@jack_edwards]

i've (somehow) been nominated for CREATOR OF THE YEAR (!!!!) at the Blogosphere Awards ahhhhhh -- if you'd like to vote for me, the link is here: www.blogosphere.biz/awards/

[@madisonelizabeth329]

That’s so exciting Jack! I voted for you because your videos are so comforting and educational. You’re my favourite booktuber and I really do hope you win!

[@aliceinwanderlust]

You're all the way at the last category! Good luck Jack, I hope you win!

[@Darkbillhook]

You have my vote - really hope you win 😊 Your videos comfort me on bad days ☺️

[@laurenschenck5355]

I am! Voting for you! 😀

[@Jade-zm2tg]

I voted!! Hope you win

[@maculka999]

"I'm 23, but I'm turning 24 in October this year, which means I will be 25 next year" The profoundness of this math problem is the best thing I've heard today 🤣

[@Teodora4537x]

With every year closer to my 30s I either have a new existential crisis, a new appreciation for my life, or a confusing combination of the 2. I’m a few weeks from 27 and it’s a confusing smoothie of emotions. Overall, life is 100% better than my early 20s without having any of the traditional markers of ‘success’ lol

[@whateverbabe]

I agree so much to this! And I'm 27.

[@filmaddict143]

bruh i thought i was alone in this omg 😭 (im 23, and i feel like ive been in the longest existential crisis while also finding something fascinating about living its back and forth lmao)

[@anne-marie339]

Agree sooo much! I just turned 29 so the conflicting emotions have reached new heights 🙃

[@roseellieburford2541]

Related to this hard.

[@fashionjackie]

This is so reassuring! From a current 24 year old!!

[@ariannaottaviani4033]

A “non fictional” recommendation video for your 20s would be so great! Also, I’m kinda hoping for a “comforting books to read when life sucks” :’) EDIT: These are all going straight to my TBR list, thank you all so much!

[@manonvo8615]

I would reccomand many populair romance books for when life sucks. They're super cute, just dreaming away in sweetness. I just finished the summer of broken rules and that was SO cute and relaxing for me (it's YA romance so some might find it pretty cheesy..) I also enjoyed maybe in another life by taylor jenkins reid👌 and I'm now reading beach read by Emily Henry and reaaallly enjoying it so far. It warms my heart these kinds of books💖 so maybe that could help you too when life sucks.

[@ariannaottaviani4033]

@@manonvo8615 Thank you so much! I will def look them up 🥰

[@christinaolesen8047]

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton reads like a novel buts actually a hilarious and insightful autobiography

[@katecullen5945]

Conversations on Love by Natasha Lunn! I always felt kind of scared to grow up because I saw 30+ as when love fades but this book changed my entire perspective on love and relationships (of all kinds!!) in general

[@redwineandagingerale]

Another vote for Emily Henry in the comfort reads category! I love beach read and book lover more than people we meet on vacation but that's just my preference. Other authors I'd recommend are mhairi mcfarlane and Beth o'leary.

[@ghost_of_taliesin]

To people in 20s afraid of getting older: it gets better! Me and my close friends has just had a nice reunion and we look at our pictures together in our early 20s vs now when we just turned 30, and we noticed how different we look. It's not about looking older because there's honestly not much difference (yet). But it's the confidence that we have as we get older. And we all agree that being in our 30s is better.

[@Arla934]

A story of a new name is a must I agree

[@opheliawinfrey9501]

So well said 💯 glad to have come across these reassuring comments.

[@akanksha8311]

Thankyou so much idk why m tearing up

[@Weylane]

I'm 33 and I've learned that the 30s are really similar to the 20s, with more financial independence. Loads of people think 30 is "old" as the boomer gen, shows like friends and such showed that you're supposed to be parents and owning a house at that point. But most of us Millennials actually don't want that life, and we love keeping having fun and not having a plan. Those rec works well for us too !

[@whateverbabe]

That's a beautiful comment, it makes me optimistic. Maybe it's not too late to make up for my miserable early 20s

[@mmarieritter216]

Omg this. My 30s are my best years. And literally people tell me your 40s are even better THANKS GEN XERS! I'm living for it. Aging out of bullsh** is the best LOL.

[@fatimej4286]

@Santosh Parvatikar no offence but no one cares about your personal opinion. Psychology defines midlife spanning from 40 to 65... A lot depends on how well one keeps themselves too.

[@jffpviana]

I'm also 33 and I relate to this comment. My 30s so far have been the same fun I had in my 20s, but with more nuance, less insecurities, more confidence and more knowing what I want and don't want.

[@Maddel97]

I'm 25 now and I gotta admit I had to laugh when I heard the story of my mother being horrified of turning 30 (while already having born three kids) but the closer I get the more anxious I become because there is this constant fear of 1 not having achieved enough and 2 not having "lived" enough and done all the things you do in your 20s being dating, traveling, partying etc. etc. so this is one of the comments that really help calm me down.

[@vitoriar8753]

books mentioned: 2:00 Cleopatra and Frankenstein - Coco Mellors 3:22 Less - Andrew Sean Greer 5:40 Open Water - Caleb Azumah Nelson 6:52 Luster - Raven Leilani 7:49 Writers & Lovers - Lily King 8:46 Yerba Buena - Nina Lacour 9:45 Beautiful World, Where Are You - Sally Rooney 11:45 The Picture Of Dorian Grey - Oscar Wilde 12:18 Assembly - Natasha Brown 13:10 Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami 14:15 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath 15:03 Vile Bodies - Evelyn Waugh 15:51 The Razor's Edge - W. Somerset Maugham 16:56 One Last Stop - Casey McQuiston 18:06 Queenie - Candice Carty-Williams 19:10 The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett 19:56 On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous - Ocean Voung 21:03 Boy Parts - Eliza Clark 22:21 Exciting Times - Naoise Dolan 23:23 Pure Colour - Sheila Heti

[@patriciasustersic7265]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@rish5922]

You are doing god's work thank you

[@DimitrisChrrr]

Thanks so much!!

[@denisebishi5212]

You’re a life saver!! Thank you💕🫶🏽

[@shrutighosh311]

that's so sweet of you, thanks🌻

[@phoebe1569]

Petition for Jack to recommend books to read in your teens

[@WennieAaaaa]

Omg yes

[@asterismos5451]

idk if he's read them but people who like these sorts of books need to read Code Name Verity and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (both amazing literary YA)

[@supershy0722]

Yes 😌 😌

[@gdaym8y]

books about teenagers, growing up, and/or friendship that were impactful to me (they're all kinda old but still relevant): "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred Taylor "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" by Kate DiCamillo "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles "Seven Daughters and Seven Sons" by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Forbes "What Hearts" by Bruce Brooks "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry These are all kind of serious books, hope thats what ur looking for haha

[@Rose_19911]

petition for jack to recommend books to read in your 30’s

[@lucyjames9776]

As someone who just turned 20 this is perfect! Don’t mind me adding all to my tbr

[@seenawu9996]

Haha after following Jack here my tbr is 200+ enough for next yr and maybe the next too

[@blending_in]

This is perfect timing for me too since I'm turning 20 in a month. The only one I've read from the list is The Picture of Dorian Gray and it's my favorite classic so.. I'm adding all the rest to my tbr!

[@lucyjames9776]

@@blending_in I just started the picture of Dorian Gray tonight! Literally after watching this video

[@arus.2171]

19 here but already in hell lol. i started norwegian wood and it’s interesting to see the male gaze as he described. i can’t wait to read the rest. if anyone is reading this, i hope life treats you well 🤘🏼 be safe

[@dreamingofthemoon]

I'm gonna be 20 next year but I'll add them anyway now!

[@keh6821]

The way Jack talks about these books makes me fall in love with them before even reading them Never been disappointed by a book recommendation onceee

[@fashionjackie]

Couldn’t agree more!! He also has a gift for telling you about the book without spoiling :)

[@whydoineedanameiwillneverp7790]

Jack's book tastes are very different to my own, so I _know_ I won't like many (or even most) of his recommendations. Inspite of that, the way he speaks about them makes me fall in love with the books! He's very good at sharing his joy in reading.

[@belhougoldenwind]

Yes he always talks so lovingly about books, everytime he actually gives me a shot of courage when i'm missing a little to keep writing my own stories

[@SponsoredByAnxiety]

@@whydoineedanameiwillneverp7790 same here. I disagree on most everything cuz of taste differences but he gets me out of reading slumps and gives me inspiration for future reading recommendations to other people because of how he talks about them

[@georginafox2263]

@@SponsoredByAnxiety out of interest is there any other people who you would recommend to look at for books you do like ? I like some of Jack's books but not all so would be interested to get other recommendations and none of my friends are really into books

[@kimklindt2894]

Hey Jack! I’m a 62 year old American woman and I can’t wait to read these. You make them sound mandatory as a human exploring the world! Congrats on your nomination.

[@Rhetor305]

I am glad you spoke up Kim! I am a 62 year old American woman and I love these recommendations. I am a retired English Professor.

[@karenslaughing]

I’m 57 and love his channel too. I look forward to reading some of these. I am curious to find a book tuber/ reviewer that is in their 50’s or older. I’m seeing most reviewers are in their 20’s. Thanks!

[@foofoo8888]

42 here Kim, and love Jack's recommendations. I despise book snobbery and I'm not quite ready for mills & boon just yet!!!! Fantastic recs Jack, added quite a few to the list! 🙂🙋🏻‍♀️

[@luciaschmid2389]

one book i'd also love to recommend for people in their twenties is "the waves" by virginia woolf! i read this for my class on woolf and it honestly blew me away. the way she depicts what it's like to age is scarily relatable and her descriptions of the rawness of being young had my jaw on the FLOOR. it's a book you have to put down every two minutes to think, but it's so so worth it and i highly recommend to anyone who's been wanting to read more woolf but aren't sure where to start! thank u for the recommendations jack!!

[@arus.2171]

thx, added to my tbr!

[@choufleur96]

This is my partner's favourite book! Mind you they still haven't finished it because they're savouring it slowly, but they'll come to my room and read me passages every few days and it's absolutely stunning. Waiting for my partner to finish the book so I can pick it up myself, & I know it's gonna be full of underlines and coloured pencil doodles to mark exceptional passages and that makes it all the more special

[@rimikaprasad6082]

I got this book because of your recommendation but it is such a tough read¡ helpp

[@katiemorwick9615]

2:00 - Cleopatra and Frankenstein 3:23 - Less 5:40 - Open Water 6:52 - Luster 7:49 - Writers & Lovers 8:49 - Yerba Buena 9:40 - Beautiful World, Where Are You? 11:45 - The Picture of Dorian Gray 12:18 - Assembly 13:12 - Norwegian Wood 14:17 - The Bell Jar 15:04 - Vile Bodies 15:55 - The Razor’s Edge 17:04 - One Last Stop 18:07 - Queenie 19:08 - The Vanishing Half 19:56 - On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous 21:05 - Boy Parts 22:20 - Exciting Times 23:25 - Pure Colour

[@MakaylaMacGregor]

Literally pausing this video with each book so I can mark them on my Goodreads lol. Thanks so much for sharing this, it's so hard to find new books that speak to this age range!!

[@kornelijag9693]

What's your goodreads ✨️

[@Darkbillhook]

Watching this at age 31 & I haven’t read a lot of these - I clearly have some catching up to do 🙃😅 If you’re in your 20s & feel like you’re somehow behind in life or failing to meet the goals society sets for you here is some unsolicited advice. Remember to check your goals are your own, & not just what society tells you your goals should be. & remember people accomplish amazing things at all ages - there’s no age limit on personal achievements. One motto that helped me in my 20s was: “you do enough, you have enough, you are enough” 🌟

[@estrellamartin1279]

that is so good! Im taking that advice even though im not even 20 yet.

[@mmarieritter216]

YES. Love this. around age 27 I started just telling myself every day "I did my best" and it got me through some really crazy existential spinning.

[@DelenaForever100]

Thank you x

[@shaynaloveswiss1]

They're mostly recent so don't beat yourself up! Im waking my way through these books also!

[@OliviaMurphy98]

Open Water is one of the most mesmerising books I've ever read, so glad to see it on this list

[@dreamingofthemoon]

Yess it's one of my favorites!

[@Kenough_in_Wonderland]

I like the idea of a non-fiction version of this!! Loved this videos as well, really good recommendations!

[@kuroogumi2020]

i’d recommend everything i know about love by dolly alderton! it’s a non-fiction memoir :)

[@mayajacobs9566]

Leena Norms has a great recent video on nonfiction books to read in your 20s - she also has a video with Jack in her series on books about the climate crisis. Highly recommend!

[@deepikaselvamurugan6405]

I just finished 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and my jaw is still on the floor with the route it takes.

[@BlossomingNymph]

I found it overly detailed and boring tbh

[@sarahnoll9018]

Jack I would lose it if you did a “Books I Would Recommend to the Love Island Cast” video or AT LEAST a TikTok. A book about having a famous parent for Gemma, a book about being a LIARR, ACTREES for Ekinsu lol

[@justjulia1720]

I'm about to be 19 and I used to have the notion that by the end of your 20's, you'll have your shit together. Glad to see people talk about what it's actually like. Makes me less nervous about becoming an adult.

[@AnneleenRoesems]

I'm rewatching How I Met Your Mother and I had the same thought as you about Friends! They start off about 26 I believe and it's only Marshall and Lily who kind of go through the 'get marries and have kids' during their twenties and early thirties and even they seem very much clueless the whole time! It was reassuring to watch as a 25 year old haha

[@Mariamox]

Yeahh and even new girl is quite comforting as they go through marriage and kids and changes of careers at much later stages.

[@oblivious_muggle]

Just finished rewatching HIMYM after having watched it first at 17 and it's surprising how much more I appreciate the show now and I actually love the ending? Felt way more realistic. Real life is messy, people make mistakes and not everyone gets their fairy tale ending.

[@erinforgie7468]

Cleopatra and Frankenstein is in the top 5 books I’ve ever read. Santiago is my favourite character. Omg its unreal

[@TheNinjutsuAlchemist]

Ok I did not know you were 23. You’re so mature and articulate I thought you were older than me! Haha. I remember the early 20s existential crises. Dreading 25. Now I’m nearly 30 and the crises haven’t stopped. (If you think the oncoming ‘25’ milestone is terrifying just wait for 30) Lovely list. Thanks for your wonderful videos and best of luck with your future!

[@christinaolesen8047]

i’m turning 20 next week and i just finished Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton and I highly highly recommend. it’s a funny autobiography about a british woman growing up from tween to 28 year old. it’s about the highs and lows of love and friendship. absolutely hilarious and insightful!

[@mirai2275]

This comment make me actually read this book and I loved it!! Thanks for the rec!!

[@janhaveejaware9138]

Watching Jack's videos as an 18-year-old who's just finished high school and is starting uni, I feel like he's got 'growing up' figured out. Jack, you may disagree, but from my perspective, it looks like you know what you're doing and honestly I look up to you coz of that. I'm inspired by your move to Paris, your work in Cambodia, your book recommendations and just your personality on the whole. 😀

[@chelseahallam9948]

To those worrying around moving to 20 and moving through your 20s- as a 32 year old woman I can tell you it gets good! Life is beautiful and you have more power and control than you might believe right now but keep pushing and keep going. No-one knows what they are doing and don't let them fool you Invest in your chosen family - make sure you are surround by people who inspire and love you. You deserve it! And read all the books xxx

[@emilyr8668]

i wish there were more books to 20s people that speak towards being afraid of connecting with people and romance, but from a woman's perspective. im glad stuff like 'everything i know about love' exists, or lots of novels that relate to young people my age about sex but it also feels alientating at the same time...

[@CecisMoon]

Today has been a rough one but getting the notification for this immediately made me feel a little better, thank you!

[@AbsurdExistentialist]

I'm in my 30s, haven't read the vast majority of these, and I've surprisingly turned out just fine! [falls down stairs] Lol in all honesty, to all of you in your late 20s dreading your 30s, here's a spoiler: Being in your 30s is a lot like being in your 20s, but with more money in your bank account and a lot less junk in your head (and heart).

[@yashi_reads]

VOTED FOR YOU AND EVE too! really hope you win you deserve this so much Jack

[@alkalinebase]

Watching your videos always make me realise how much I love books, it's kinda reassuring that yeah the feeling's still there

[@kateodriscoll594]

Would absolutely love a non-fiction version Jack! Books you would recommend to help broaden your horizons on life and different perspectives etc. Absolutely loved this, keep up the amazing videos!

[@RamonaGelosi]

I’m 23 too. I’ve changed my career more than 6 times now. We are doing great HAHAHAHAH although I think that’s what makes me love characters that are looking for their path or purpose on books bc I relate, and maybe they don’t need to find it, just reading about them❤️ My life is an eternal coming of age story

[@lunaaaaaa588]

I'm about to turn 20 and "A little life" by hanya yanagihara has really changed my understanding and idea of getting older. It's definetely not the right book to recommend due to the triggers, but apart of them i've found so much more for myself. It made realise that getting older is not that scary and that your 20's and 30's may be full of surprises and changes which are absolutely ok!

[@jessicahirianto890]

- Cleopatra and Frankenstein - Less - Open water - Luster - Writers & Lovers - Yerba Buena - Beautiful World, Where are you - The Picture of Dorian Gray - Assembly - Norwegian Wood - Bell Jar - Vile Bodies - The Razors Edge - one last stop - queenie - the vanishing half - on earth we’re briefly gorgeous - boy parts - exciting times - pure colour

[@aldoortega3169]

I'm 25, lost and kind of scared, so it's nice to know some books that show this feelings through real life situations, with bittersweet stories and maybe, relate to them so I can learn and do something to change my current life. Thanks, Jack 🖤

[@dominic7983]

Bell Jar, Dorien Grey, Norwegian Wood... What a great list!

[@gindokki]

Turning 24 this year too and oh boy I so know that existentialist dread of turning 25 soon and crossing over into the late 20s pool. It’s definitely a scary thought - and this video came in such a timely manner too! Beautiful list and I love your descriptions of each book and how they apply to our perceptions of life and the people around us as well. Some stories that really clicked with me in this 20-something journey, Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid and If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha. As for movies, I never felt very drawn to Spirited Away as I watched it quite young, but rewatching it in my 20s definitely hits hard. Congratulations on your nomination as well Jack! ☺️

[@rhitzb]

my recommendation would be 'expectation' by Anna Hope. it's about three girls starting out as roomates and becoming friends later on. We following their story back and forth between two timelines and it's about the joy, the hearbreak, the struggles and the journey for these women to find themselves. Must-read for any girl in her 20s, personally, I saw parts of myself in many of these characters.

[@lorithomasscott349]

This was a brilliant video, and I’m so happy to have read so many of these books. (Plus I’m 27 so a few more years to read the others) but a recent read as someone in their late twenties that was really impactful was The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante (Book 2 of the Neapolitan Novels) as it depicts the characters in their late teens and early to mid twenties. The characters are deeply flawed and messy and just trying to figure it all out.

[@laurabenitez2841]

I'm 23 and in the process of reading Crying in H Mart and it has been great so far 💗 thank you for such a lovely video that speaks to the scary sweetness of our 20s 🥰 totally voting 4 uuuuuu

[@hazzo8]

Every thing you release is 🔥 can’t miss a vid

[@Nicholly1084]

I turned 34 this year, and I feel more lost now than when I was in my 20s. On the other hand, I also feel more confident and comfortable in my own skin, which is nice 👍🏾

[@anneliesehope3189]

I love how much I can tell you've genuinely thought about these recommendations and carefully crafted a list made for a myriad of different people and lifestyles. Wonderful video and wonderful recs, as per usual.

[@simongamez]

I would love if you read "Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity" by Justin Baldoni. It's an incredible book not only about masculinity but also about finding yourself and healing trauma and navigating manhood. It talks about privilage, parenthood, trauma, fears, relationships, racism, etc. It's a beautiful book that I think every man should read.

[@cig4r4ttez]

books to read whilst in your teens would be such a fun video to watch!!

[@arisamalao3963]

Cleopatra and Frankenstein infuriated me to my core . Great book though , and incredibly well written, I just hated all the characters

[@numiraa]

I quite liked Eleanore! And ehm Santiago although I didn't like how his part was full of fatphobia :/

[@jankafekete5079]

it is very well written, my only problem with it was the unneccesary POVs from random characters. like i didnt care what that santiago dude has going on in his life, im only here for the titular characters

[@daretodreamabout9267]

Kind of the same. I thought that it was hard to root for the characters. I only enjoyed Santiago’s POV. But, I would have to agree that it is well written.

[@kimbarr4283]

I just entered my 20s, turned 20 this May. So far for me a lot of the books I’ve been reading have been more so focused on the young teen/child coming into the adult world. Allowing myself to love my inner child and let them know they are loved through reading content that makes that kid feel seen and heard. Trying to not take baggage with me into my 20s and let things lie in peace.

[@shiva.dharsh]

give me some recommendations of the kind of books you read

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Hi Jack. Today, I discussed this video in real time online with the four of my sons who are under 30. The Picture of Dorian Gray and Open Water had been read by the three who are in their twenties, and they endorse your recommendation wholeheartedly. They live in London, Edinburgh (Uni) and home in Kenya. My 29 yr old prefers The Wind-up Bird of Murakami's works, and also Heti's The Middle Stories (which he read in Spanish for his IB). My 21 yr old med student son says he preferred Rooney's Conversations with Friends. Only my youngest, 15 yr old (a boarder in Somerset) has read The Bell Jar, and Razor's Edge (the latter while on a 6 month exchange in Paris last year!). My 27 yr old read Exciting Times after staying for three months with my friends' family in Hong Kong earlier this year. He says it is great. So thanks for the other selections. Each of my four younger offspring now intend reading some of the others. Merci.

[@peculiaritea]

Your family sounds fantastic!

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

@@peculiaritea Thanks, Roos. You're very kind. I admit to being very proud of each of my six children and 15 grandsons. The education they received or are receiving here in East Africa, in the UK, Canada, and Australia has developed in each of them (except the 12-month old triplets!) a great love of reading.

[@lisawilkedesouza3323]

As someone who turns 24 in October as well I share the existential fear of getting older without knowing what you've been doing all your life so I greatly appreciate this

[@ploopploop9569]

Same here. Jack so eloquently expressed the dread I've been experiencing as my 24th birthday draws closer. My anxiety could not have been encapsulated any better. Glad I'm not alone though.

[@erinmariecece]

Can not recommend Nina LaCour enough for people in their early twenties. They truly understand how to write about living in that “in-between stage”, personal favorite was “We Are Okay”, an absolutely beautiful book with some of the best writing I’ve ever read.

[@Fandoms4Life]

The Vanishing Half and On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous were soo good!!

[@Itzelmontero_505]

I’m also 23 and all of these are great recommendations. Can’t wait to start reading some of these🥰

[@sofiadolabela1804]

the way you describe sally rooney and are able to captivate EVERYTHING SO PERFECTLY. love your recs!

[@savannahthomas431]

Ok but I’m sorry, “you have absolutely no direction and you’re just enjoying it” is the most backhanded thing I think I’ve ever heard

[@diptirathod1247]

Watching his videos and just listening to his voice always feels like coming home and feeling welcome

[@alfredoneto08]

i loved it!!!!! please do a non fiction books recs please ❤️

[@helenskaa]

this is my fav video. idk why but it brings me so much comfort for some reason

[@luluognam]

I recently found out I didn't pass my final year of high school, which made me feel defeated. Luckily I've had some time to think and most importantly: time to read. I've really been getting into books again and your channel is just the best! I feel like our tastes match quite well, so I'm excited to read more of your recommendations :)

[@jmsl910]

i'm sorry. do you get to take an equivalency exam? or repeat the last year? DONT buy into the defeat-mindset. we all move at different paces & take different routes... good luck

[@luluognam]

@@jmsl910 thank you so much, your comment means a lot to me. luckily I can take 2 subjects coming school year instead of 8. However, I will need to go to a different school. I never said goodbye to my high school (teachers, peers) because I couldn't attend graduation. anyway, enough about me and thanks again, I hope you are well :)

[@bailagringacovers]

Hang in there! Life is about the journey, not the destination

[@shirls_with_the_curls692]

literally re-watching this after a loooong day because Jack makes me feel better💛

[@Ingel17]

I'm turning 28 in November and I don't really think about my age since I know I'll never have my sh!t together and will be contatly involving. Now, saying that, I've always been a reader who wants to relate to a story and learn something from it, so thank you so much for this video and I'll give a go to a few of these books. 🙂

[@aishazel]

I'm so glad that I've read at least ONE book from this video! Honestly, after discovering your channel, I felt like books are infinite and just pure bliss..

[@mexDpeace]

I would really recommend reading something by Herman Hesse in your 20s (or late teens)! All of his books have a heavy focus on figuring out who you are and dealing with that, especially when it doesn't really align with how you've been told you should be - most well-known books are probably The steppenwold and Siddhartha

[@carlapringle3000]

This video made me feel so safe and warm inside. I really needed this write now. Thank you Jack

[@nadyanah]

With the pandemic I feel like I’ve lost 2 years of my life. Like I started it at 25 and now I’m 28 and I just feel like I skipped the two years in between, it’s a very weird feeling

[@Manijkoi]

Same here 😏

[@abinayaraghavan]

Your book recommendations are "chef's kiss" xD This particular video is going to be my favourite for quite some time now

[@wildlife_weekly]

Recommended for a YA recommendation video: the six of crows duology, followed by king of scars and rule of wolves. phenomenal books.

[@menals2968]

you're absolutely insane for posting this on my 20th birthday!!!

[@vivianszostak9280]

jack...we need a 'what to read in your teens recommendations' PLEASE. i think you'd definitely be able to find great literature for teens/young adults in high school/early college:)

[@ghostgie]

thanks for the quote at the end. i constantly forget that we dont need to be flawless all the time, and it really woke me up to this!!

[@brie8981]

Cleopatra and Frankenstein is so beautiful, truly and it teaches you a lot about how not all people are good. I loved ir

[@Ingel17]

Frankenstein is so good and I haven't read Cleopatra, but I do want to. 🤭

[@ankithamattam6567]

Jack you are a blessing to the booktube community. I am amazed at how much I enjoy the books that you recommend. Thank you so much!

[@sharnichols3291]

for someone who is almost done with their first year of 20s (turning 21 in september!), this was so helpful! i often feel like i need all the advice i can get lol

[@oobalooba.]

Jack, nobody deserves Creator of the Year more than you! ❤️

[@fatima-2131]

been bingewatching jacks vids knowing im in a reading slump

[@geniedreamsofyesteryear1328]

15:51 so glad The Razor’s Edge is om this list! Such an underrated book needs more promotion, so thank you, Jack!

[@weronikashysha]

the worst existential crisis I had was when I had turned 26 and couldn't use the student discounts everywhere anymore. I just know 30 will never be as bad as that

[@lsta8088]

I'm exactly at this point right now, omg! Its so hard!!

[@weronikashysha]

@@lsta8088 I'm so sorry for you - please know it gets better :)

[@mohitsrivastava8]

I will coming back to this video again and again for a long time. Love every recommendation.

[@ritrishamondal659]

Still have 5 years left to go into my twenties but still going to read every book mentioned here 🙂

[@pjofan4life]

i don't want to make it too long or too sappy, so short and sweet it is! i came into this for book recs, and i also left with a life lesson. i don't know why, but you saying, "have no direction, and enjoy every second of it," hit me a lot harder than i anticipated. likely because i, and people like me, get so caught in feeling bad in having no direction sometimes that it's easy to forget how GOOD it feels to just exist without too much weight of the world on my shoulders yet. i can go out and do what i want when i want, and i can do that because right now, i have no direction. i just wanted to say thanks for hitting that home for me. cheers, jack. happy new year from me in the future.

[@jasminesmith6361]

Jack: I definitely enjoyed Yerba Buena, would recommend! Jack's Storygraph review of it: 2.5 stars 🤣

[@purvadudhrejiya3492]

I can't wait to read all these books! Thank you for making this video!

[@khalilahd.]

Lmfaooo I too feel robbed of my twenties by the Rona but I love this positive spin on this fever dream we call a pandemmy. Definitely adding a few of these books to my list 💛

[@FraslAstrid]

The fact that i have so many books on here already at home, thanks for finally making me pick them up Jack! 💖

[@jameszurick9982]

I’m not in my twenties but I still watched this video

[@milicadjurovic8358]

i would really love it if u did the video for books for teens! love u Jack!!

[@rhianx]

OH damn I read The Bell Jar during the month I was about to turn 20 and it was The Best™ experience for me as a reader to consume it. If anyone here is 19, is struggling in uni and their purpose after it (and in life in general), and who's feeling the pressure of turning 20, then read The Bell Jar NOW.

[@moonchild-hy1lr]

god, i can listen to him for hours!

[@chiarabertoldi2992]

Such an honor to navigate my 20s alongside you, Jack! Huge Congrats on the nomination, my TBR is now neverending thanks to your videos and you truly deserve it, keep up the amazing work

[@lolamarshall5192]

Omg Jack please do a rec video for teens! And congrats on the nomination, I voted for you!

[@IqraShah]

all books are amazing but I will read one last stop 🥰

[@interestedperson174]

teenage recs yes please!!! non fic recs for those in thier 20s tooo pretty please :) congratulations on your nomination! good luck

[@zakwood3094]

im genuinely confused about the love norweigen wood gets

[@opalchatam2065]

How is it that EVERY time I watch your videos I get a huge smile on my face the entire time and just love every min of it? Obv I voted :) Ty!

[@maishamahboob7423]

I am so thankful to have found this channel, I am mostly a Neal Stephenson-Carl Sagan person, and Jack made me read Loveless, The Stranger, Hamnet.....highly appreciate that

[@swaraapednekar8176]

He has created an amazing community 😊

[@shristigupta007]

All the recs were amazing! I literally added everything to my TBR because you made them all sound so great 🥺 I also loved the little pep talk(ish) at the end, we're grateful to be sharing the same timeline with you, Jack!✨👑

[@ltabu842]

I love the way Jack thinks we're all sorted in our 30s.. No, Jack we're still struggling 🤣

[@marythurlow9132]

Don't think there's ever a time when we get 'sorted'.

[@whatsoever4290]

[@ghadam.hassaan4143]

20s are a weird decade. I'm 21 this year and my book taste is already shifting radically. I think I read more nonfiction this year and the last than I did in my whole life. PS I read Open Water earlier this year and I wholeheartedly agree: shove it in everyone's face. They'll be grateful. 😂👏

[@nelienaclarke2051]

Hey I love your content sooo much oml! Thank you! A great idea for videos would be reading books from a specific country for a week (obv translated lol), i think it’s mad interesting getting outside of the English literature bubble:)