Recommended books for the recent female college graduate written by women

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Graduation is such a great time. You accomplished something and are ready to take on the world.

And then the real world comes around and you might not be so confident anymore.

After my college graduation, I could be regularly found perusing the aisles at Barnes and Noble. I don’t know if I was trying to find answers or a guide, but I was determined to find some help to navigate this really big world I knew little about.

I drifted towards the self-help section primarily. There was a specific section geared towards 20-somethings and I raided that shelf constantly.

While I appreciated the show of women authors, I found that most of the topics on this shelf were geared toward living life after school but not focused on professionalism. When I wanted to find topics on my career, I would need to glance through the business section.

I don’t mind the business section of my nearest Barnes and Noble. I show no bias towards most literature, but it was harder to find female authorship. I felt like most books targeted men on these topics, because, as you can see, there aren’t many women on the covers of these books.

The covers are primarily showing the title and nothing else for female authors, but have half a cover dedicated to male authors. It seemed fairly difficult to connect with female authors in this section because of it. Women’s books were more focused on bright or colorful covers compared to the black and darker covers for many of the neutral or male-focused texts.

That being said, it can be difficult to find books focused on female readership when it’s not being targeted towards you in the first place. So, I’ve searched for female authors that will help you in your professional and personal life after college graduation. If you’re not attending college, consider this a wake-up call for when you go job-hunting after high school.

Lean In for Graduates

I’ve heard of so many good things about Lean In that I couldn’t not include the same for recent graduates in this list. Personally, I have not had the chance to read Lean In for Graduates. The reason why I’ve included it on this list, however, is because, for women, it can be fairly difficult to take ownership of their professional careers.

For women, we already make less than men by a quarter, if not more for minorities. Learn how to put yourself on the right footing once you graduate rather than having to wait longer to make it in you field.

Dare to Lead

This is a read that I’m very much looking forward to. Brene Brown has been a great motivator for so many individuals. I think her latest work will help young female professionals understand the importance of their perspective at the leadership table.

While I haven’t read this book either, I have watched her Netflix special and read one of her other books. I really enjoy how she explains things and gives examples as well as facts behind her reasonings.

Year of Yes

Shonda Rimes might be a hit with Grey’s Anatomy or Scandal, but her book is a hit as well. She helps by being fairly vulnerable in her book by showing how uncomfortable she becomes with a variety of confrontations in her life.

I especially like her recollection of her journey with her graduation speech. Public speaking is one of my own hardships and applaud Rimes’ ability to make the speech her own by putting her own abilities, writing, as her accomplishment.

Also, if you think that your career is a one way path, think again. Saying yes to new experiences will help you succeed more than following a set plan.

The Defining Decade

Similar to Brene Brown, Meg Jay is also a psychologist. She uses her findings after working with 20-somethings to show how her experiences have to lead her to her findings.

This book is a very easy read. Even if you find yourself in your early thirties, consider getting this book and take her explanations to heart. She not only covers your professional life but also goes into depth about your personal and romantic life as well.

Broke Millennial

This book is self-proclaimed as a toilet read. So, if you aren’t big on reading, maybe stash this in the bathroom for you to pick up when you are interested in short bits of information.

That being said, Broke Millennial is great when wanting to learn more about your finances. This can mean learning to budget, what’s your credit score(s), or how to invest (which is expanded on in another book, Broke Millennial Takes on Investing.) Whether you want to learn a bit or all of the aspects of your finances, you’ve come to the right book.

Girl, Stop Apologizing

I’m all about the self-help genre, and Rachel Hollis really paints a nice picture in her second book, Girl, Stop Apologizing. Not only does she show real-life examples without scientific proof, like my top three suggestions, but she also makes sure everything is in plain language for others to understand.

I suggest Hollis’ second novel rather than her first because this one relays more suggestions about being yourself and standing up for what makes you-you. I found this book much more inspiring when I was trying to find out ways to be confident in my decisions and how to make purposeful choices in my life that would affect my future.

Pride and Prejudice

This might seem like an outlier. I firmly believe it is not for this reason: Pride and Prejudice will teach people about manners and how to treat others.

You can look at so many characters in this book to show you how to act and definitely how not to act towards your fellow man. So, if you find yourself being judge-y, remember Charlotte confronting Elizabeth about her engagement with Mr. Collins. If you find yourself being cold, remember how Mr. Darcy's hopes are dashed because he was mean to Lizzy and able to change his ways.

So much to learn in this book. Take note.

You are a Bada** at Making Money

I’ll be first to say, I’m not the most confident person. That being said, You are a Bada** at Making Money showed me a few good examples about being more confident in my skills.

This doesn’t have to be a career guide. Sincero primarily goes into freelancing and making her own money, but this advice can certainly go towards working a 9-to-5. I’m mainly encouraged with this book by making an impression and creating a lifestyle that works for you, rather than taking the first offerings that are ‘given’ to you.

the life-changing magic of tidying up

This book came into my life after watching the short Netflix series. I bought it after to see if I could dwindle down some of my clutter after a move and have not regretted the decision. So, even if you don’t enjoy reading, open up your Netflix account and watch the series.

That being said, it will help you stay organized after you graduate. It can be overwhelming to understand what you might need after graduating and this book will help you figure how to have meaningful things in your life, rather than stuff.

And if you like this book, I also recommend Joy at Work. It’s an extension of tidying up but solely focused on maintaining a productive and efficient workplace.

Graduation is a great time. You’re excited for what lies ahead of you and what you’ve accomplished. As a woman, it can be challenging as well.

Take a look at any or all of these books to help you stand out and start your life on the right footing.

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