College years are already synonymous with tons of reading. First, you have to make time for all the required reading: textbooks, research papers, literary pieces, periodicals, etc. And what about all that recommended and optional reading? That can come in handy, too!
It’s no wonder that reading might seem like a chore. But that’s exactly why you should get used to reading for your own pleasure, too! Besides helping you relax, this activity can also expose you to new ideas — and develop your soft skills without you even realizing it.
Don’t know where to start? Let’s explore our 10 best books for college students!
Why Is Reading Important for Students Beyond the Classroom?
Reading is one of those activities that you just can’t make do without when you study. It’s the ultimate method for knowledge transfer, seeing how it’s been around longer than YouTube videos or podcasts.
But why should you go out of your way to make reading your personal pastime? We’d argue that reading regularly comes with plenty of benefits, some less obvious than others:
- It helps explore new ideas. Whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction, any book will expose you to ideas you wouldn’t come across otherwise. That expands your worldview — and you never know when those ideas will come in handy!
- It promotes several soft skills. Non-fiction books help develop critical and analytical thinking. Fiction titles, in turn, promote creativity and imagination in both children and adults.
- It builds communication skills. Reading comprehension and vocabulary go hand in hand. A stronger, more diverse vocabulary will help you express your own ideas in a more compelling way.
- It provides stress relief. One study showed that reading for six minutes slowed down participants’ heart rates and relaxed their muscles. So, if your life gets hectic at times, reading is one way to reduce those stress levels!
Top 10 Best Books of All Time for Students
Don’t know which titles to add to your reading list? Well, that’s a deeply personal decision. That said, these 10 books are definitely worth considering.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear (2018)
Goodreads rating: 4.31/5 (based on 1.3+ million reviews)
Everyone’s got their fair share of bad habits. Maybe, you stay up late binge-watching TV shows, even though it makes you drowsy in class the following day. Or, maybe, you know you should exercise more, but you just can’t bring yourself to get started.
James Clear’s bestseller, Atomic Habits, offers a step-by-step framework for breaking free from bad habits and building good ones. Give it a try if you still think you’re stuck in your own ways simply because you don’t have enough motivation — this book will prove you wrong.
2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey (1989)
Goodreads rating: 4.16/5 (based on 835+ thousand reviews)
Don’t feel like you can get things done when the situation calls for it? Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People can help you build the right habits to develop independence and achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself.
The title gives it away: the whole book is structured around seven critical habits. They span everything from becoming more proactive to prioritizing win-win solutions. We won’t list all of them to avoid spoilers!
3. The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz (1959)
Goodreads rating: 4.26/5 (based on 100+ thousand reviews)
The Magic of Thinking Big is a long-time classic among self-help books; it routinely makes it to rankings of the best self-help titles of all time. That said, its target audience is a bit older: it talks about professional life and marriage in depth, for example.
It’s still a worthy read if you’re already building a career or about to graduate and plunge into adulthood. The Magic of Thinking Big will help you set the right goals and develop the right attitudes to succeed in every aspect of your life.
4. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (1997)
Goodreads rating: 4.15/5 (based on 466+ thousand reviews)
If you can’t help but overthink how tomorrow’s test will go or how awkward you were at that party, The Power of Now can help you learn to live in the moment.
In a way, The Power of Now is a spiritual successor to the Zen philosophy. It’s also gained quite a following in celebrity circles: Jeff Goldblum, Annie Lennox, Gillian Anderson, and Katy Perry have called the book one of their favorites!
5. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (1988)
Goodreads rating: 3.92/5 (based on 3.6+ million reviews)
Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, keeps having the same dream night after night. He dreams of a treasure. So, he sets out on a trip to find it. Yet, the treasure he actually discovers during his travels is different from what he had in mind, albeit it’s by no means less valuable.
This is the allegory that Paulo Coelho lays out in his now-classic, The Alchemist. It’s a tale that speaks to our desire to follow our dreams — and encourages us to heed the omens that may be peppered along that path.
6. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero (2013)
Goodreads rating: 3.95/5 (based on 294+ thousand reviews)
If you realize your self-confidence needs a bit of work, You Are a Badass can be the book you need to build it. Besides bite-sized advice and a humor-laden narrative, the book also offers easy exercises to help you practice what is being preached.
The author’s easy-going, no-nonsense tone and story-driven narrative make You Are a Badass a pleasant read. It’s probably up your alley if you don’t usually buy into motivational speeches and prefer someone to tell you how it is.
7. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (1936)
Goodreads rating: 4.21/5 (based on 1.17+ million reviews)
We’ve already called a couple of entries on this list “classics,” but if any book deserves that title the most, it’s Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. In all seriousness, who hasn’t heard of it today?
Besides being an all-time bestseller, Dale Carnegie’s first title is the go-to book for anyone who wants to learn how to convince people and make friends. And no, the book doesn’t suggest some voodoo rituals to that end: the secret lies in basic human psychology.
8. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown (2012)
Goodreads rating: 4.29/5 (based on 247+ thousand reviews)
Everyone’s had their fair share of experiencing shame or feeling vulnerable, imperfect, or exposed. Dr. Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly is here to demystify those feelings, showing them for what they are: part of being human.
If you’re curious about the psychology at work behind shame and vulnerability, this book is for you. It takes a methodical approach to breaking down how we attempt to avoid, what it costs us, and how we can engage with vulnerability to stop it from dictating our lives.
9. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (2011)
Goodreads rating: 4.17/5 (based on 606+ thousand reviews)
Ever wondered why you think the way you think? If so, Thinking, Fast and Slow can take you on an exciting journey into your mind. You’ll discover how biases and faults can play tricks on you, why you can’t rely on your intuitions, and why slow thinking has its benefits.
Be warned, however: at 499 pages, Thinking, Fast and Slow is a somewhat long read — and it can get quite scientific. But if you’re curious and ready to take on the challenge, this will be one rewarding journey!
10. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth (2016)
Goodreads rating: 4.08/5 (based on 145+ thousand reviews)
Why do some people persevere and others give up? Angela Duckworth dedicated her life to studying this very question. Grit is the culmination of her research into the power of grit — but don’t worry, the book doesn’t get too technical.
If you’re still convinced that talent is the main reason why people succeed, Grit will bust that myth once and for all. The book also offers plenty of insights into how to teach yourself this particular brand of perseverance to attain your goals.
Final Thoughts
Here it is, our selection of the top 10 books for students. But that’s just a sliver of all the great books out there! So, if none of them piqued your interest, don’t give up — and keep looking.
As you’re picking your next read, remember that there’s only one thing that matters: your interest. If you try to force yourself to read any book, it’ll feel like a chore. Don’t torture yourself with one!
Any Questions?
