Gift Books for Grads

The speeches are (finally) over, and the tassels are turned. Now you need a gift for the grad. Here is a list of 10 great books to remind your high school or college graduate that there is a literary world outside of textbooks.

Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties, Beth Kobliner
One thing they don't teach you in school is money management. Kobliner, a contributor for Money Magazine, offers young adults advice on everything from credit cards to 401k plans.

What Color is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job Hunters and Career Changers, Richard N. Bolles
What careers am I suited for? How do I ace an interview? What's the best way to search for a job? "Career guru" Richard Bolles answers these questions, and much more. Updated editions annually.

Roadtrip Nation: A Guide to Discovering Your Path in Life, Mike Marriner, Nathan Geghard, Joanne Gordon
Three directionless college grads took a cross country road trip and interviewed some of the most successful people out there. They picked their brains, and this book was born.

Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell
Why are most pro hockey players born in January? In this fascinating book, Gladwell intertwines sociology, history, and psychology to explore the patterns that define success.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
A simple but powerful guide to personal development and professional growth. These seven "habits" put a new spin on critical life lessons like time management and the power positive thinking.

The Knowledge Book: Everything You Need to Know to Get By in the 21st Century, National Geographic
Because let's face it, we can't remember everything they teach us in school.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson
Remind your grad that reading can be fun with the first entry in Stieg Larsson's ultra-popular Swedish crime trilogy.

Freakonomics, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
Throws conventional wisdom out the door and does the impossible by making a fun read out of economics. Explores modern issues like crime, gangs, abortion, and more. Perfect for the "outside the box" thinker.

Do What You Are, Paul and Barbara Tieger
Based on individual personality assessments, this book examines the classic question "what do you want to be?" Sounds formulaic, but the real life examples make it easy to relate to and hard to ignore.

The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle
In these hectic times, remind your grad to slow down and live for the moment. Eckhart Tolle explains how "now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment." Sounds deep, but Tolle's message rings clear.

Sources: Amazon.com