I recently finished watching Season 1 of the TV show Girls, and it’s made me a little nostalgic for my early twenties. A very strange feeling, since that was such a tumultuous time in my life: having to support myself for the first time, realizing that summer vacation was a thing of the past, and basically just going through the same growing pains that most of us experience. I thought the show itself took a few episodes to hit its stride, but once it did I thought it had moments that rang perfectly true (down to certain conversations, in some episodes) to my own experience as a narcisistic young adult. It’s nice to have enough distance from that time to remember it fondly, and in honor of those fun, turbulent years I’ve put together a list of a few books that seem appropriate to the time.
Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties: I am not a Math Person, and as such I just didn’t think about things like finances for many, many years. I wish someone had told me I had listened when my parents told me that you couldn’t start saving too young. Of course, having a career and a steady paycheck helps with that kind of thing too.
The Friendship Crisis: Finding, Making, and Keeping Friends When You’re Not a Kid Anymore: It’s actually very, very easy to make friends easily when you’re going out most evenings; it’s once you settle down a bit and start keeping your own company more often that meeting new friends or connecting with old ones starts to be an issue.
BurdaStyle Sewing Vintage Modern: Mastering Iconic Looks From the 1920s to 1980s: I spent so much time thinking about what to wear and buying new things when I was younger! I still enjoy thinking about what to wear, but these days I’m much more likely to put some thought into what I buy, or just make it myself if I can.
Everyday Drinking: The Distilled Kingsley Amis: I don’t know about you, but I spent a lot of time with a cocktail (or a PBR) in my hand back in those days. These days, I’m far more likely to revisit my experiences while reading this book with a cup of tea in my hand.
201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions: The Ultimate Guide to Handling the New Competency-Based Interview Style: How are you supposed to get a job when you have no experience? How are you supposed to get experience when you can’t get a job? A question for the ages.
-Irene
Oh, yes, I cringe at some of the stupid decisions I made back then! For example, I could have so much more money than I do now! But they say that with age comes wisdom &, while I’m only in my forties, I feel much so better about myself all around.
I love Melissa Kirsch’s The Girls’ Guide to Absolutely Everything… Hits on a little bit of all of the above! http://catalog.einetwork.net/search~S1/?searchtype=a&searcharg=kirsch%2C+melissa&searchscope=1&sortdropdown=-&SORT=D&extended=0&searchlimits=T%3Dget%2Ba%2Bfinancial%2Blife&searchorigarg=akobliner+beth