10 Best Books to Gift Recent Graduates

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It is no doubt that new College or University graduate students ultimately need some help and guidance as they navigate their next steps post-graduation.

Since it is my belief that one of the best gifts to give a graduate is a book that will help them.

These different types of books will help graduates in their overall life, career, relationships as well as their finances moving forth.

A gifted book is as much excitement, comfort, and utility as other graduation gifts are. You can also read my other posts on what to give to graduates (Gift for Her and Gifts for Him):

Here are the 10 Best Books to Gift Recent Graduates!

1. “Very Good Lives” by J. K. Rowling

“Very Good Lives” is a great book to gift recent graduate as it is by famous children writer of the Harry Potter series.

This book is J. K. Rowlings’ 2008 commencement speech at the University of Harvard. Rowling offers important lessons on the importance and the inevitably of ‘failure.’ This speech is very touching and quick to read. I read and enjoyed this one after I completed my undergraduate degree.

2. “The Financial Diet” by Chelsea Fagan and Lauren Ver Hage

“The Financial Diet” is another ideal book to gift a recent grad! It is easy to get through as it has bunch of visually pleasing graphics that accompany the text.

Essentially, this book guides the new graduate on how to manage their finances. It surveys topics such as budgeting, automating payments, and the most important; how to pay off student loans!

3. “Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps” by Kelly Williams Brown

“Adulting” is a must-have as a newly graduated student and therefore a must-gift! It goes without saying that this book is a practical book on how to be an adult. Filled with useful tips and loaded with humour, it will have the newly grad feeling less intimated when navigating the adult “real” world.

4. “The Quarter-Life Break-Through” by by Adam Smiley Poswolsky

“The Quarter-Life Break-Through” will help the newly graduate to make breakthroughs in their life. These practical life skills will help with setting intentions surrounding career choices as newly graduates try to figure out what to do with their lives. Therefore, this one is definitely a useful book to gift the recent graduate in your life!

5. “Lean in for Graduates” by Sheryl Sandberg

“Lean in for Graduates” is an expanded version of “Lean In” in order to help new graduates to be able to navigate the world post-graduation. Practical tips such as negotiating salary, finding a first job, and much more.

This book is both useful and inspirational as it will show graduates how to commit to the work they love!

6. “In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It” by Lauren Graham

“In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It” is a funny must gift speech – converted into book – to gift to the newly grad. Lauren Graham is a hilarious and talented actress of the hit TV show “Gilmore Girls.” She delivered an impactful commencement speech in 2017 in her hometown at Langley High.

7. “The Defining Decade” by Meg Jay

“The Defining Decade” is another essential book to gift graduate students!

Dr. Meg Jay has done her research on many twenty-something individuals to gather her knowledge in this resourceful book. In essence, this decade is the defining decade as the tools developed in one’s twenties will carry for the next decade(s) concerning the very many aspects of life such as relationships, habits, health, and etc.

8. “The Opposite of Loneliness” by Marina Keegan

“The Opposite of Loneliness” is a great book to gift recent graduates because it centres around personal essays and stories from Marina Keegan as she graduated from Yale back in 2012.

This collection is beautiful, heartfelt, and relatable to recent graduates. Unfortunately, Marina Keegan passed 5 days after her graduation but her stories and essays – published posthumously – continue to impact newly graduates for many years to come.

9. “I Will Teach You to be Rich” by Ramit Sethi

“I Will Teach You to be Rich” is a must-read and in my opinion would be the perfect book to gift grads. I personally read it once I completed my Master’s degree.

Ramit Sethi talks all things finances as he sets up his readers for a life informed in all aspects concerning money, and therefore, teaching readers how to build on their wealth.

If you want more personal finance books to gift – and further read my in-depth reviews of the books – you can read my separate post here on the Top 3 Personal Finance Books for Beginners.