5 Books a Man Should Read by the Age of 30
Reading is a wonderful pastime that can benefit you in the long run. It doesn't just give you knowledge, but helps you absorb information faster as your comprehension and analysis skills improve over time.
What’s more, it helps you become more open-minded to different aspects of life. That’s always been one of the biggest benefits of reading.
Anyway, if you want some pointers on great books to read, you’re on the right page. We’ve gathered books that we loved reading, and we would suggest to most adults or even young adults.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the list of the 5 books that a man should read by the age of 30:
I think I speak for every other man reading this when I say that we’ve all done stupid, immature thigs that affect not just our lives, but others’ lives as well.
The title of this book speaks for itself, expert Dr. Laura Schlessinger was ahead of her time when she wrote this book back in 1997, and what she wrote remains true. She has spoken out about the shameful behavior that men refuse to grow out of.
From simping for women who aren’t worth it (even before the term simping was invented) to treating your wife like your mommy, she covers it all. She also talks about how some men lean towards aggression as an expression of masculinity, and refuse to be responsible for their actions.
Wondering why anyone would want to read a book that calls them out! Because this book is a must-read for any man to realize their potential and to get rid of the typical behaviours holding them back.
2。 True Love by Thich Nhat Hanh
Love is a necessity of everyday life. Now, the question is, how do you love? How should we express love? Is there more to it?
You can learn the answers to that here. Thich Nhat Hanh’s insightful thoughts on love are derived from the four aspects of love in Buddhism.
This book gives you a humbling perspective on what we should do, and what must be done. We prefer to refer to this book as a journey rather than a read. This teaches people how to love beyond one’s self and what is truly important.
This isn’t your run of the mill self-help book sold by some marriage counselor with a PhD. This is advice given by one of the most revered Buddhist monks in modern times.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is “To love is to recognize; to be loved is to be recognized by the other”. It teaches that recognition is a step to love somebody, to know that they are worth it, and that they matter.
In sum, this book is a life-changing journey without ever leaving your chair.
3. Necessary Skills And Then Some by John Woodward
One of the ultimate life skill books out there, John Woodward shows readers step-by-step how to make, explore, and do pretty much everything. It actually is for anyone 9 and up, but it’s never too late to learn skills that will help you hack through life.
You’ll learn about everything survival-related, from CPR to surviving quicksand to neat party tricks, and then some. We suggest reading this as a small guide to things big and small, on how to navigate through life.
If you want to give this to your little man, then we suggest this as a good gift as well!
4. What Do I Do If...?: How to Get Out of Real-Life Worst-Case Scenarios by Eric Grzymkowski
A more serious version of the former entry, What Do I Do If tackles scenarios, both the mundane and the “out there”. That includes getting a bed bug infestation and surviving plane crashes and shark attacks.
This book is absolutely perfect for any young adult starting out in the world who wants to be equipped in the great wilderness called life. Whether it’s as tiny a task as fixing a broken pipe or one as big as performing first aid, this is a step up from any Boy Scout Manual that you may have had back then.
5.The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety by Alan Watts
I saved the best entry for last, but honestly, any book by British Zen philosopher Alan Watts is a must-read for anyone, regardless of age or status.
So why did I pick The Wisdom of Insecurity? Well for starters, in this day and age, we’re mostly plagued by anxieties and insecurities exacerbated by social media.
But with Alan Watts’s timeless wisdom, we can be guided on how insecurity can help us, and bring us comfort in a sense.
You can have a sample of him lecturing here, but really, read it for yourself. It will open boundaries and help you relate to people and realize a higher level of empathy and humanism.
We also suggest the lecture, Why The Urge To Improve Yourself, to have a taste of what kind of wisdom Alan Watts can offer.
Some Final Notes for Your Literary Journey
We hope that you find this list helpful in bringing you wisdom from the world. But whether you’re reading the books above via tablet or cellphone, or the old-fashioned way, we advise you to take a break every now and then.
First, it’s for your health. Reading non-stop can strain your eyes, especially if you read at night.
The experts at Eye Specialist Singapore suggest that you should do the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look away from your book and look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
You could also take a break by walking around. That way, you’ll be well-rested after a new page.
That brings us to the second reason you should pause every now and then when reading these: it can help your comprehension. Stopping for a few minutes on occasion can help you digest what you just read better -- it gives you a moment to pause and reflect on what you just learned.