Explore the best books for graduates to help them start fresh with the benefit of shared wisdom. I curated these self improvement books from my catalog of 1,000 books read, focusing on those that actually help and make the best gifts for students leaving high school and college. They will be inspired to celebrate their accomplishments and embark on their next chapter. Let’s find the perfect recommendation for you below!
List of the Best Books for Graduates: Graduation Gifts for High School and College
TOP 3 PICKS
These three books are among the bestselling books of all-time in this space:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: for those in a quarter-life crisis seeking self-discovery
- Atomic Habits by James Clear: for “doers” working on goal-setting and achieving
- Dare to Lead by Brene Brown: for future CEOs to get career advice on leading with meaning
- Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy: for sports fans to get personal development and resilience through mental health
- Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg: for women improving your career access in the modern world
- The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates: for progressives to build a feminist world-view
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss: for all ages to celebrate life transitions
- Originals by Adam Grant: for achievers forging their own path
- Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes: for introverts building confidence in trying new things
- You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero: for anyone feeling stuck to gain motivation
Readers Pick: Take the Poll
Reviews of the Self-Help Books for A Student’s Next Chapter
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
The Alchemist is the beloved modern classic fable (one of the best selling books of all time and one of the best self-help books of all-time) about following your dream.
It centers around an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago, who travels from his home in Spain to the desert of Egypt to search for buried treasure near the Pyramids. Along his journey, he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist. None of these people know what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to find it, as Santiago’s journey becomes one of discovering treasure within.
It’s a quick read that’s mystical and wise, with lush writing and buried universal truths about the importance of our dreams and listening to our hearts. But don’t let it fool you — this “self-help” is not hokey or surface level — it’s soulful and spirited, loaded with purpose and meaning, and transformative power.
Related Post: The Alchemist Quotes
Atomic Habits by James Clear
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”
Atomic Habits is one of the most popular nonfiction books of all time. I call it the “Habits Bible.” It takes habits, something difficult, and breaks it down into practical, actionable tips that are easy to follow and work.
Best of all, its teachings can be applied to just about any aspect of life. New graduates will learn some life skills with this one. It’s helped me with everything from running my business to brushing my teeth with a special toothpaste before bed, which I kept forgetting to do!
It’s also a consistently popular self-help book, and it’s an excellent resource for developing a reading habit.
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
“I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.”
Brené Brown is a renowned “shame” researcher. She shares new research on leaders, change-makers, and culture shifters in Dare to Lead. She teaches readers how to put those ideas into practice, so we can step up and lead meaningfully.
For Brown, leaders hold themselves accountable for recognizing potential and developing that potential. Dare to Lead encourages leaders to choose courage over comfort to make a difference in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty. This involves cultivating empathy, connection, and vulnerability.
Her research-backed work is delivered in her unique Southern dialect, and it makes us better people from the inside out. It’s a must-read for new professionals who value human-focused initiatives.
Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy
“I’ve learned that what we really want, beyond our tangible goals and pursuits, is to feel totally alive.”
Inner Excellence became a bestseller after Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown was seen reading it on the sidelines during the playoffs. The Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl, and this book cemented its status as a go-to self-help book.
But it’s not just a fad. Murphy spent years writing this book, and it shows. It’s a thoughtful meditation and practical handbook on how to communicate with your biggest critic — your mind. It’s the real deal.
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In is not just a book. The title became an instant catchphrase used to empower women.
Sandberg draws on her own experience as an employee of the world’s most successful businesses and offers advice on how women can make small changes in their work lives. This can effect change for working women on a universal scale.
Lean In is a must-read that changes how women behave in the workplace. I, and just about every working woman I know, has read it and enjoyed it.
Reading Tip: It pairs well with her follow-up book, Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy, in which she adjusts some of her advice based on the tragic death of her husband. This pairing shows that nuance can be part of self-help teachings.
The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
“As women gain rights, families flourish, and so do societies. That connection is built on a simple truth: Whenever you include a group that’s been excluded, you benefit everyone.”
As the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates learned that, if you want to lift a society, you should invest in women.
In The Moment of Lift, Gates explains the tremendous opportunities that can catapult change, and she provides simple and effective ways each person can make a difference.
She advocates for family planning, access to jobs, equality in household work, paid family leave for all, and the elimination of gender bias.
It’s a very personal book that holds within its pages the power to change the world. It would work especially well for Gen Z making a college-to-career transition and fostering change for the future. I found Gates’s experiences with women around the world to be really impactful.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! may forever be the top graduation book to gift high school graduates or college graduates. It’s filled to the brim with yearbook quote ideas, Dr. Seuss quotes for graduates, and Dr. Seuss education quotes repeated in commencement speeches. That’s because its lessons for life after graduation are so universal and timeless.
Dr. Seuss explores life’s ups and downs with the rhythmic style for which he is renowned, suggesting deeper truths to live by.
Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant
“Being original doesn’t require being first. It just means being different and better.”
Originals explores such modern workplace and culture-based initiatives as recognizing a good idea, speaking up without being silenced, building a team of allies, knowing when to act, managing fear and doubt, and welcoming dissent.
Like Malcolm Gladwell’s books, Grant draws upon real-life examples to make his points, from Steve Jobs at Apple to the CIA and Seinfeld.
It’s a book that young adults in their first job or early career will want to read and re-read as they enter the workforce. As a business owner myself, I found it incredibly interesting to learn about who succeeds and, more importantly, why. It was illuminating.
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
“There is no list of rules. There is one rule. The rule is: there are no rules. Happiness comes from living as you need to, as you want to.”
Year of Yes is a memoir about trying scary new things by the TV show creator of sensations like Grey’s Anatomy. In one pivotal year, she says yes to everything and tells the reader all about it, from facing her fears to “dancing it out.”
Like all of her work, it’s engrossing, engaging, and endlessly consumable. It’s a “fun” self-help read to tackle life after graduation. There’s even some especially great advice for graduates.
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
“If you’re serious about changing your life, you’ll find a way. If you’re not, you’ll find an excuse.”
You Are a Badass is a light and comedic kick in the pants. While Sincero doesn’t offer anything new in the world of self-help, she compiles everything that is out there really well. She also delivers it in a relatable and easy-to-read way that makes a lasting impact. That’s why I like to recommend it above other self-help books.
You Are a Badass will energize you to change your self-sabotaging beliefs and work through fear to take action in support of your goals. It’s great for the graduate with a sense of humor.
Recap
When selecting a book for a graduate, focus on the specific topic that will actually help them on their unique journey, whether it’s finding themselves, leading with meaning, calming their mind, or something else. The choice should be personalized so that it has the most impact in their real life.
BEST BOOKS FOR GRADUATES
Start with my top three picks:
- The Alchemist: for those in a quarter-life crisis seeking self-discovery
- Atomic Habits by James Clear: for “doers” working on goal-setting and achieving
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go!: inspires graduates of all ages to celebrate life transitions
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
