Curated by marketing and communications specialist Chloe Sparrow

Graduation is often seen as the end of something when in reality, it’s the beginning of a whole new chapter. A time of change and transitions, life can start to look very different from what you’re used to. If you’re not sure what comes next or feel a little lost, you’re not alone. Featuring memoirs, poems and short stories, these six books offer fresh perspectives during times of change. From new beginnings to uncertainty and growth, these titles are a reminder that every new chapter takes time to unfold.

For Everyone
By Jason Reynolds

Originally performed as a spoken-word performance at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Reynolds inspirational poem is now available in a written format. With an emphasis on pursuing your dreams despite fear and doubt and uncertain outcomes, this short but impactful read is sure to give recent graduates a feeling of hope as they begin their next adventure.

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now
By Meg Jay

Featured in numerous lists as a must read for recent graduates, The Defining Decade explores how your twenties are a critical and formative period that shapes one’s career, connections and character. Jay combines psychological research and her own experiences together to illustrate how the choices we make during this stage of life can have long lasting effects that stretch well beyond your twenties.

We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life’s 20 Questions
By Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach and Amanda Doyle

Dubbed as a “guidebook for being alive,” We Can Do Hard Things is a roadmap for navigating life. Through honest and vulnerable conversations, the authors turn to the people around them and ask a simple but powerful question: have you gathered any wisdom that might help us find our way? A beautiful collection of truth, gentle encouragements and reminders that even in the most uncertain of times that we are not alone.

Everything I Know About Love
By Dolly Alderton

In this candid and witty memoir, Alderton reflects on the challenges of early adulthood, from navigating first jobs to making sense of personal relationships. She weaves together personal stories, worldly observations and vignettes to create a relatable portrait of growing up, growing older and finding your place in the world. A perfect read for recent college graduates and readers in their twenties, this book is sure to strike a chord.

The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life
By Suleika Jaouad

In The Book of Alchemy, Jaouad explores the art of journaling and the life-altering practice it has become for her. Ranging across themes of new beginnings, love, loss and rebuilding, she reveals how simply putting words on a page can transform our lives and help us find our most creative selves. This book invites readers to see journaling as more than reflection and instead as a powerful tool for self-discovery and finding your path.

All These Wonders: True Stories About Facing the Unknown
By Catherine Burns

A combination of over 45 true stories from the creative minds at The Moth, All These Wonders shares numerous accounts of facing the unknown and venturing into uncharted territory. Through creative storytelling, readers will encounter tales of strength and humor that encourage us to be more open and vulnerable. A perfect read for new graduates and those nervous about entering a new chapter, this short story collection is an incredible addition to any bookshelf.