Thoughtful Books To Gift High School Graduates
by Eliza Smith
I graduated high school over a decade ago, and though I’ve purged my bookshelves several times since then, I’ve never given up the book my mom gifted me for graduation — The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch — with a very dear inscription. (Parents, take note! Inscriptions are key!)
Now, I have 12 years before I must choose the book that I’ll bestow on my oldest niece when she graduates, which means 12 years to decide the type of graduation gift-giver I am. Will I go the sentimental route? The concerned about her nutrition/finances/study habits route? Will I just want to pump her up before she heads off to change the world, like the incredibly gifted and kindhearted young woman she’s already poised to be? (I’m not crying; you’re crying!)
Most likely, I’ll give her a stack of books that check off all of the above. If you’re still deciding what type of graduation gift-giver you are, we’ve rounded up some possibilities, paired with their ideal matches. Good luck, and congrats to your graduate!
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If you’re worried they’ll get too many copies of Oh, the Places You’ll Go!:
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Congratulations, by the way
Buy from:For a poignant graduation speech they can return to again and again, gift them the inimitable George Saunders’s commencement address, originally delivered at Syracuse University in 2013. The speech went on to achieve internet virality, thanks to its simple and heartfelt message to live a kinder life. The New York Times calls the volume “as slender as a psalm, and as heavy.”
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Dear Graduate
Buy from:Dear Graduate encourages graduates to dream about the life they want to live. By taking the time to consider the 30 thought-provoking questions in this book, grads can consider who they aspire to be, the values they want to develop, and the mark they want to leave on the world. A beautiful book to celebrate this important milestone.
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If you want them to fully embrace their awesome self — flaws and all:
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Becoming Flawsome
Buy from:This inspirational self-help book from the co-founder of the global educational company Mindvalley encourages readers to embrace their imperfections. In it, the author discusses how perfectionism and self-doubt can hold you back, how to let go of unrealistic ideals, and accept your authentic self.
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I Decided to Live as Me
Buy from:This utterly charming self-help book rose in popularity after Jung Kook from the K-pop band BTS recommended it. Through insightful essays and comforting illustrations, Suhyun encourages readers to break free from societal expectations and live a life true to themselves. She offers tips on dealing with anxiety, respecting yourself, and not making life about winning or losing. Though a light read, her advice is profound.
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If you want to inspire them to make their mark on the world:
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Carpe Every Diem
Buy from:After all the pomp and circumstance for your new graduate, the question remains for them: Now what? Perhaps they'll find the answer in this curated keepsake collection of quotes from speeches of famous commencement speakers. From Jimmy Buffett's "Be Santa Claus whenever you can" to Jon Bon Jovi's sage advice on mapping out the future in pencil, the wisdom contained within this book is sure to inspire any new graduation looking to make an impact.
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The Hill We Climb
Buy from:Amanda Gorman’s beautiful poem that she read at the presidential inauguration struck a chord with millions of people, and I think it could also have been read as a graduation commencement address. Her message is an excellent reminder to all people that words have meaning, and that we should continue to strive for unity, heal divides, be authentic to ourselves, and show kindness to all.
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If you’re learning to let go, but can’t resist imparting some last-minute advice:
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College Rules!, 4th Edition
Buy from:Now in its fourth edition, College Rules! is the go-to for incoming college students — preparing them for the huge transition ahead and offering tips to dodge rookie mistakes. From topics like time management, alleviating stress, the anatomy of a syllabus, and how to interact with professors, this is the kind of guide they might hide from their new roommate, but will be oh-so-grateful to have as a resource when it starts to feel like everyone’s speaking another language.
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If you're excited for the lifelong friendships they'll make in college:
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Stay True
Buy from:This Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling memoir captures a young man’s experiences with an unlikely friend during college. Even though Hua and Ken have nothing in common on the surface, the two boys develop a deep connection that leaves a lasting impression. This heartfelt exploration of friendship, culture, grief, and art is a must-read.
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If you want to remind them that being themselves is more than enough:
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How to Be You
Buy from:Warm, affirming, and refreshingly honest, this book encourages readers to embrace who they are without apology. A meaningful, supportive gift for graduates navigating big changes and figuring out exactly who they want to be.
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When you want to offer a fresh (and quirky) new perspective on life's many ups and downs:
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When in Doubt, Play Dead
Buy from:Inject a little humor into your graduate’s life with this book of advice from an opossum. If you’ve ever met an opossum in the wild, you know that these little critters are quiet, quirky, and utterly fearless. Author Ally Burguieres shares the odd and playful wisdom she has gleaned from opossums and shares it alongside playful photos of the creatures.
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If you have a nagging feeling they’ll live on ramen for the next four years:
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Prep
Buy from:New high school grads already have a lot on their plate, but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn how to cook up a few simple, delicious meals. With Prep, chef Katie Sullivan Morford offers 10 basic lessons for beginners, including notes on essential kitchen tools, how to hold a knife, and what pantry staples to keep on hand. Recipes range from the healthy (actually tasty vegetables!) to the craving-inspired (loaded nachos), so you can rest easy knowing they’re getting at least a little variety in their diet.
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If you want to send them off with their head held high:
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Make Good Trouble
Buy from:The title for this book comes from a quote by congressman John Lewis’s call to challenge injustice in which he said, “never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” This powerful book highlights famous moments of global activism throughout history and empowers young readers to make a difference. Filled with vibrant illustrations and additional resources on how to get involved, get ready to inspire your graduate to make their own good trouble!
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If you’re the sneaky sentimental type who loves a good pep talk:
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The Algebra of Happiness
Buy from:Scott Galloway teaches at NYU’s Stern School of Business, but he’s most recognized for his “no BS” insights that rack up millions of views on YouTube. His anecdote-fueled wisdom is collected in The Algebra of Happiness, where he tackles the “equations” for a life well lived, what career success looks like (and how to get there), the importance of making room for relationships in a capitalist world, and remembering to care for yourself as a human. It’s a refreshing counterbalance for ambitious, results-oriented grads.
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When you want them to have the skills to survive literally anything:
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The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Apocalypse
Buy from:Graduating high school can feel like a worst-case survival scenario for many people. In which case, this hilarious book will come in handy. From making your bunker feel like home to fighting off robots, this humorous book of end-of-world advice is just the sort of gift a recent high school grad will appreciate.
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If you still have a collection of their childhood artwork and want to encourage more:
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The Creative Act
Buy from:Where does creativity come from? How do we cultivate it in our lives everyday? Legendary music producer Rick Rubin’s inspiring book The Creative Act, answers these questions and more. In this book, grads will love exploring Rubin’s thoughtful insights and putting his ideas into action. It is the kind of book that will live on their shelves for years to come.
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If you love to ask the age-old hypothetical, “If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you?”:
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Originals
Buy from:With Originals, psychologist and author Adam Grant approaches the monumental task of changing the world, arguing that the best way to do so is by valuing new ideas and resisting conformity. Grant tells stories of non-conformists who work in the worlds of business, sports, politics, and entertainment, and he offers readers tangible advice for becoming an original in their own lives: how to be heard, find their allies, avoid groupthink, manage self-doubt, and more.
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If you just remembered how you handled money at their age:
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The Index Card
Buy from:There are countless personal finance books you could gift your graduate (and speaking as someone who graduated during the Great Recession, it’s a worthwhile gift!). That said, I’d heartily recommend The Index Card, which boils down everything you need to know about personal finance into 10 simple rules that fit on a — you guessed it — 4” by 6” index card. Co-written by University of Chicago professor Harold Pollack and financial journalist Helaine Olen, this little book packs big lessons.
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If you can’t stop bragging about how brilliant they are:
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The Genius of Women
Buy from:Janice Kaplan, author of The Gratitude Diaries, was stunned to read a recent poll in which 90% of Americans said that geniuses tended to be men. Her ensuing investigation is a mix of historical anecdotes, personal narrative, and interviews with dozens of women geniuses working today: mathematicians and musicians, physicists and philosophers, artists and writers. Kaplan celebrates their barrier-breaking work and persistence; together, their stories chart a path forward.
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If you’re tempted to send them a steady stream of motivational memes:
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Gmorning, Gnight!
Buy from:Another delightful book gift along the lines of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and Congratulations, by the way, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Gmorning, Gnight! gathers the Hamilton creator’s most memorable Twitter affirmations, paired with illustrations from acclaimed artist Jonny Sun, for the ultimate nightstand accessory. One of my favorites: “Good night now, and rest. / Today was a test. / You passed it, you’re past it. / Now breathe till unstressed.”
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If you want to help them build confidence and direction for what’s next:
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Game Plan
Buy from:This motivating guide draws on lessons from top performers to help readers set goals, stay focused, and follow through. A practical, energizing gift for graduates ready to take charge of what comes next—whether that’s college, work, or something in between.
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When you want them to see the beauty and hope in life's transitions:
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The Moth Presents: A Point of Beauty
Buy from:The Moth is a nonprofit organization that focuses on live storytelling. Every so often, they collect some of the most thought-provoking stories into a book. This edition is about finding beauty, strength, and joy in life’s transitions. Inside, readers will find real-life stories that touch hearts, inspire, and uplift. You can’t go wrong with gifting this book to a new graduate.
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When you want to encourage self-discovery and self-care:
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Becoming Me: A Work in Progress
Buy from:This interactive journal is the perfect way to not only get the creative juices flowing, but offers advice on how to better interact with the world around you. With helpful prompts that encourage self-care and self-discovery, grads will also be putting in the work to decide who they want to be going forward. Perfect for anyone at a crossroads, in need of some self-reflective alone time, or just looking to add more creativity to their everyday routine.
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If you want to honor their journey of self-discovery:
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Every Body Looking
Buy from:Told in lyrical verse, this powerful coming-of-age novel follows Ada as she leaves home for college and begins to untangle family expectations, past trauma, and her own identity. Through dance, relationships, and hard-won self-reflection, she learns to claim her voice and her future. A deeply moving gift for graduates stepping into independence.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2024 and updated in 2026.