Book cover of The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now

Book description

Revised and reissued for a new generation, The Defining Decade has changed the way millions of twentysomethings think about their twenties -- and themselves.

Our "thirty-is-the-new-twenty" culture tells us the twentysomething years don't matter. Some say they are an extended adolescence. Others call them an emerging adulthood. In The Defining…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Defining Decade as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Meg Jay brings attention to a period of life that is often treated as more flexible than it really is.

The twenties are sometimes framed as a time to figure things out loosely. This book suggests something more structured is happening. Decisions made during this time tend to build on each other, creating momentum in ways that are not always apparent at the time.

What I find particularly useful is how it connects identity, work, and relationships. It gives insight into early career experiences, while also offering a way to better understand the pressures and decisions facing the next generation…

Jay points out that the decade of the twenties, once regarded as the core of young adult life, has become for many a kind of extended adolescence - or an early retirement. The skills, knowledge, habits, and talents which would ordinarily be developed during this time are put off for a later that may prove too late. She makes the case for treating the decade seriously - while still having fun and laying the groundwork for yet more enjoyment later on in life.

From Randy's list on building adulthood in your twenties.

If you love The Defining Decade...

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These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

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