5 must-read books for teenagers

Bavina Sivapatham, Contributor • March 4, 2025

Fanart of the “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak

“Reading is good for you,” is a phrase heard by almost everyone, starting from the early ages of 3-4 years up until adulthood.

In fact, these words of encouragement are repeated so much they even implement a pressure that one must read, causing individuals to feel a distaste for reading – as said by Dr. Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist, in the Stylist article by Hollie Richardson.

What if this commonly heard and overused phrase was right? Here are some books to read that will help enhance a positive mindset, teach valuable lessons and more for teenagers.

Seems unbelievable? Test it out by reading them!

Atomic Habits by James Clear

This book talks about the power of small habits in creating lasting change in one’s life. The author articulates how forming positive habits shapes your thinking as well as building confidence.

Reading self-help books such as this is a great way for teens to gain insights that will help them, throughout their lives, especially as they transition into adulthood. This sentiment is supported by Komal Kamble in the article Why You Should Read Self-help Books at a site called “Medium”.

2. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is an incredibly concise and fairly short novel consisting of various ideas and viewpoints Marcus had pondered over in his life. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge and understanding of life itself and challenge the core beliefs they possess.

The Diary of Anne Frank

This diary is a straight plunge into a world full of rich emotions, describing the real-life story of Anne Frank, a victim of the Holocaust. It sheds light on some of the events that have occurred in history and is a tragic but wonderfully enlightening book as said by a review of this novel in The Story Sanctuary, a website.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak.

The Book Thief is another historical read that raises questions about emotional relationships and morals. It is a rollercoaster of a novel and showcases themes such as mortality, death and the immense impact words have.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Teenagers are at a time in their life, where their brains are undergoing significant changes. They are not fully adults yet, and neither are they children. One of the dilemmas that show up at this time is the prospects of what a teenager ought to do to earn money for a living. They may want to be a software engineer but are unsure if they have the right skills for such a job as well as have the possible stress of obtaining good grades hanging over them. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho urges one to find their purpose in life and fulfill it wholeheartedly, assuring that by doing one’s duty success is inevitable.