10 year reading list

 

picking 10 books is kind of hard bc theres so many childhood favs. here's some that would describe me pretty well and some i would love to look back on when im older. i loveeee nostalgia so most of these books are reflective or bring me back to a moment.

2025 – Atomic Habits by James Clear

This book is like a motivational speaker and a scientist had a baby. It breaks down how small, repeatable actions can completely change your life over time. I like how it emphasizes that we don't need some huge life makeover, but starting tiny and making it stick is what's important. I read this book in my sophomore year, and it changed the way I thought about a lot of things. I used to try and fix everything in one giant overnight glow-up, but this book helped me slow down. I liked the way it made progress feel possible, even when I was overwhelmed. I want to read it again when I'm 18 and trying to build new routines in college or wherever I end up

2026 – The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

A fancy china rabbit (yes, really) goes on an unexpected journey after he’s lost by the little girl who loved him. Along the way, he gets broken, lost, loved, and changed in ways he never expected. This one’s technically a children’s book, but it’s one of those that hits way harder the older you get. It’s about love, loss, and transformation. I want to reread it when I’m in a transition phase, maybe missing home, figuring out who I am without all the people I grew up around.

2027 – The Defining Decade by Meg Jay

A psychologist breaks down why your twenties matter so much more than everyone says. It mixes real stories, research, and advice about careers, relationships, identity, and mental health. People always act like your twenties are a throwaway time, like you’re just supposed to mess around and "find yourself." This book is more like: hey, these years actually count. I think reading it around 20 would help me feel like I’m not wasting time, even if I’m still figuring things out, especially if I'm going to spend most of those years in school.

2028 – The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

This is a radical self-love book that challenges all the ways society teaches us to shrink ourselves, especially when it comes to body image, confidence, and feeling like we’re “too much” or “not enough.” I want to read this when I need to feel grounded again, like when I’m being too hard on myself or comparing my life to everyone else’s. 

2029 – The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

A woman finds herself in a magical library where every book is a different version of her life, based on every choice she could have made. It’s kind of fantasy, kind of deep, and very relatable. I overthink every little decision: what if I had done this or that? This book reminds me that regret doesn’t have to be there, and that life isn’t about picking the “perfect” path. It’s just about living through it.

2030 – Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Part memoir, part pep talk, this book is about breaking out of society’s expectations, especially for women, and living a life that actually feels like yours. I want to read this when I’m starting to feel boxed in, like I’m being who other people want me to be. It’s a reminder that I don’t have to ask for permission to be loud, soft, emotional, strong, or whatever else I feel like being that day.

2031 – The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

An aging Hollywood legend finally tells the real, raw story of her life to an unknown journalist, including secrets about fame, identity, love, and sacrifice. This book is drama central, but it’s also smart and emotional. Evelyn’s story makes you think about how women are judged for ambition, love, and power. It’s a reminder that people are more complicated than they seem, and that the stories we tell about ourselves matter.

2032 – Educated by Tara Westover

Tara grows up in a survivalist, super-isolated family and doesn’t even go to school, but ends up getting a PhD from Cambridge. It’s about the power of education, resilience, and finding your own voice. I want to read this when I need to be reminded that no matter where you come from, you can still become your own person. It’s a story about breaking free from expectations and choosing knowledge over fear. 

2033 – The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

This one’s kind of a daily spiritual journal. Each entry is a short reflection or a little life lesson about being more present, connected, and alive, even in the middle of chaos. Sometimes I just want a slow, peaceful read that helps me zoom out from stress and get back to what really matters. This book is like a warm cup of tea for your brain.

2034–2035 – When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

A smart young neurosurgeon finds out he has terminal cancer and reflects on life, death, and what gives us meaning. It’s emotional, thoughtful, and beautifully written. This one hit me hard. It’s about purpose and how we measure a life well-lived. I want to read it again when I’m older and thinking about legacy, impact, and how to spend the time I have in a way that feels right.