9 Gift-Worthy Books for Grads—and Anyone Starting Something New or Figuring It Out
Uplifting, inspiring, and delightfully un-skippable—books for grads (and the rest of us) that offer encouragement, insight, and a little magic.
Weekend Edition: Start your weekend with curated book lists, reading tips, and lifestyle inspiration delivered every Friday.
Graduation Books Worth Gifting (Even If You Don’t Have a Grad) 📚🎓
Hi Bookish Besties,
We don’t have a graduate in our house this year—and maybe you don’t either. But I’m still thinking about the milestone moments and fresh starts this season brings. Because let’s be honest: sometimes we need the graduation speech, the pep talk, the reminder that it’s okay to begin again.
These 9 books are excellent gifts for new grads—but they’re also packed with wisdom and comfort for anyone feeling between chapters. One of them even lives on my nightstand full-time (I’ll let you guess which one it is). They’re short, sweet, and full of meaning—books they’ll actually read, not just shelve.
So whether you’re shopping for someone, crossing the stage or simply want to give yourself or someome in your life a little boost, here are some meaningful reads to mark the moment.
9 Books to Gift New Graduates (That They'll Actually Read)
These books are excellent gifts for new grads—but they’re also packed with wisdom and comfort for anyone starting something new or feeling between chapters.
Oh, the Places You'll Go! (Deluxe Edition) by Dr. Seuss
A timeless classic, now in a stunning keepsake edition. With whimsical rhymes and illustrations, Dr. Seuss walks us through the highs, lows, and unknowns of life with humor and heart. Perfect for new beginnings, this book encourages courage, perseverance, and joy in the journey.
The Sky Is the Limit by Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar
Bright, quirky illustrations meet big-picture encouragement in this joyful celebration of life’s possibilities. With nods to both small milestones and huge dreams, this one’s perfect for readers of any age embarking on something new.
You Can! by Watty Piper and Charlie Hart, illustrated by Jill Howarth
A sweet reimagining of The Little Engine That Could, full of bite-sized encouragements and gentle life truths. It’s charming, affirming, and makes a perfect anytime pep talk for those tackling something big.
Do Your Best Every Day to Do Your Best Every Day by John Cena
Yes, that John Cena! Adapted from his Twitter feed, this illustrated collection delivers powerful one-liners about effort, kindness, and staying grounded while going big. It’s funny, motivational, and surprisingly profound.
The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad
Part journaling guide, part soulful anthology, this book is a treasure trove of creative prompts and wisdom from over 100 thinkers and artists. For the graduate who wants to reflect, explore, and stay inspired, it’s a companion for the long haul.
We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle
This deeply human guide to life’s challenges is like sitting down with your wisest, most honest friends. Organized around 20 questions we all wrestle with, it offers comfort, clarity, and connection. A go-to gift for the graduate who feels a little overwhelmed.
A Few Rules for Predicting the Future by Octavia Butler, illustrated by Manzel Bowman
Originally a short essay, this beautifully illustrated volume distills Octavia Butler’s wisdom into four powerful ideas about change, responsibility, and resilience. It’s compact but rich with insight—ideal for deep thinkers and science fiction fans alike.
Carpe Every Diem by Robie Rogge
The best snippets from 100+ famous commencement speeches—everyone from Oprah to John Waters. Each quote is short, sharp, and tagged with the speaker’s name and graduation year. A perfect flip-through book for a grad who needs advice with personality.
Gmorning, Gnight! by Lin-Manuel Miranda, illustrated by Jonny Sun
This little book of daily affirmations pairs Lin-Manuel’s Twitter pep talks with warm, clever illustrations. A lovely reminder to begin and end each day with a little more hope. Great for bedside tables and big feelings.
Literary Calendar
If you subscribed to my OG newsletter, you know I used to share a literary calendar every week! Well, I’m bringing it back, and it will be a staple in the Weekend Edition.
May is National Short Story Month, Get Caught Reading Month, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month.
May 9th 1860: J. M. Barrie is born. Popular works include: Peter Pan, The Little White Bird, Margaret Ogilvy.
May 11th 1942: Go Down, Moses by William Faulkner is published.
May 12th 1812: Edward Lear is born. Popular works include: The Owl & the Pussycat, The Duck & the Kangaroo
May 13th 1907: Daphne Du Maurier is born. Popular works include: Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel, The Birds, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman's Creek.
May 15th 1856: L. Frank Baum is born. Popular works include: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Mother Goose in Prose, Father Goose, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.
May 15th 1891: Mikhail Bulgakov is born. Popular works include: The Master and the Margarita, A Young Doctor's Notebook, Heart of a Dog, The White Guard.
Final Thoughts
These books are full of insight, comfort, and encouragement for grads, anyone starting something new or feeling between chapters. Let me know which one you’d gift—or if you have a go-to graduation book you swear by.
And if you are celebrating a graduate this season, I’m sending you and yours the biggest congratulations. (And a reminder: a heartfelt book + handwritten card is a forever gift.)
Also, if you enjoyed this list, please restack it or share it with a fellow book lover directly. Sharing helps keep the Weekend Edition free, and you get rewarded when someone subscribes using the link you shared.
You can also hit the ❤️ button to let me know you’re enjoying The Weekend Edition!
Happy reading!
Victoria
P.S. Join us for May’s BYOB Club meeting on Saturday, May 31st, 2025 at 7 pm ET. Bring a book you've read during the past month and share it with us.
How to join, details, and more in the post below:
