Best Book Gifts for Graduates
Bookish gift ideas for grads (high school or college). Test your Word IQ! Also, celebrate Pride Month with this booklist.
Hi, my bookish friend! My twin son and daughter will be graduating from high school this Friday, so I figured this week would be the perfect time to create an inspirational book list for graduates.
Graduation is one of those pivotal moments in life. It comes with a combination of emotions: sadness that this stage is ending, while at the same time, relief that the test-taking, boring classes, and so on are behind you. It’s a sentimental time for remembering everyone and everything. It’s also a scary yet exhilarating time for making plans for the future. (Don’t even get me started on how all of this feels as the mom of the graduates: all of this, plus some!)
If you’re looking for a book to give as a gift to a graduate in your life or you’re the graduate or you just adore the life advice from commencement speeches and life-changing books, this week’s post is for you!
Today, I’m inspiring your reading (and future generations) with:
Sure, you can give grads money, but books make great gifts, too. See my recs!
Looking for a unique gift for a graduate? I’ve got five “bookish” ideas!
Test your BIG word knowledge! Can you beat my “High IQ Vocab Quiz” score?
Plus, June is Pride Month! So, celebrate and support this community by selecting a book (or two or several) from this fab book list.
Happy Reading!
Your friend,
Audry
P.S. Hey, readers, I could use your help! Please help spread all this delightful, bookish fun by sharing Bookish AF with more awesome people who love … well … delightful, bookish fun!
Bookish Quote of the Week
“My years in college and afterward taught me this: Success is not the result of making one good choice, of taking one step. Real success requires step after step, after step, after step. It requires choice after choice; it demands education and passion and commitment and persistence and hunger and patience.”
— Jesmyn Ward, Navigate Your Stars
Bookish Recs: 10 Books that Make a Perfect Gift for Grads
Every graduate is unique. My twins couldn’t be more opposite! So here’s a sampling of books to help you match your grad’s personality. (See this list on Bookshop.org!)
Children’s Books for Grads
Of course, whenever anyone mentions a book for recent graduates, I think of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss. However, if you want your gift to stand out, there are plenty of other excellent choices.
Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems
If you’re familiar with the “pigeon” books, you know that you’re in for a zany, funny story! This newly released book is perfect for grads of all ages, especially if your graduate grew up enjoying this series as a child.
The Sky Is the Limit by Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar
This sweet, uplifting picture book encourages and inspires the grad in your life to dream big.
Illustrated Books of Wisdom for Graduates
These books make gorgeous gifts for grads. They deliver words of inspiration complemented by beautiful, artfully designed pages.
Carpe Every Diem: The Best Graduation Advice from More Than 100 Commencement Speeches: A Graduation Book by Robie Rogge
This book may be the perfect gift for a grad! Each colorful page features an inspiring and motivational quote from a speech delivered by a famous commencement speaker. You’ll discover gems from Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, Barack Obama, Gloria Steinem, Kermit the Frog, Abby Wambach, and more!
You Are Only Just Beginning: Lessons for the Journey Ahead by Morgan Harper Nichols
I first learned of Morgan Harper Nichols through her eye-catching artwork and lyrical words of encouragement that she regularly posts on Instagram (@morganharpernichols). So, when I saw she created a book of her art and inspirational poetry intended for graduates, I had to add it to this list!
Navigate Your Stars by Jesmyn Ward
This short book artfully shares the commencement address delivered by Jesmyn Ward, a two-time National Book Award–winning, New York Times bestselling author, and Oprah’s Book Club’s 103rd pick. Ward links her personal experiences to the life lessons she’s learned. Each page features the beautiful illustrations by Philadelphia-based artist, Gina Triplett.
More Books from Commencement Speeches
Sometimes a commencement speech is so well done, just listening to it once isn’t enough! These books make great gifts for grads who are fans of these speakers.
What Now? by Ann Patchett
American award-winning author Ann Patchett is best known for her compelling fiction novels, such as her most recent bestseller, Tom Lake. This short book shares and expands the thought-provoking commencement address she delivered in 2006 at Sarah Lawrence College.
In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It by Lauren Graham
If your grad is a Gilmore Girls fan (or you are and want to share your love of its biggest star), then you have to get your hands on Lauren Graham’s short book that contains the expanded version of her heartfelt, humorous commencement speech that she gave at her hometown high school.
Books About Life After Graduation
Whether you’re looking to encourage a recent graduate or you’re the one seeking direction, these books hit the mark for guiding this unique transitional time in life.
I Graduated: Now What? by Amanda McLaughlin
Oh, the dread “adulting” and all the unknowns that go with it! This book asks basic “adulting 101” questions and provides all the answers, along with checklists and journaling prompts, for overcoming everyday obstacles, from financial to relationship challenges.
Dear Graduate by Charles McEnerney and Adam Larson
This quick and easy read displays a few lines of impactful text on each colorful page. It’s the perfect book to offer guidance and advice for graduates who have an “undecided” major or an uncharted career path.
The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
For grads in their twenties or heading there, this book by clinical psychologist Meg Jay, PhD, is worth the read! It’s also a great gift choice for parents of said grads!
For more inspirational books, see my list of life-changing books on Bookshop.org or read my story with the book descriptions here!
Bookish Buys: 5 Literary Gifts for Graduates
This shiny stainless steel graduation bookmark is the perfect add-on for one of the book gifts listed above! It features a pretty etched phrase, “Enjoy the next chapter,” and a chain with a cap bearing the year “2025.”
Go “old school” with Graduation Mad Libs! How fun is this gift idea! If you used to love playing Mad Libs as a kid, then it’s time to help a new generation take a break from screen time to enjoy a laugh with this classic game.
The Happiness Project One-Sentence Journal by Gretchen Rubin is a thoughtful gift for a grad who enjoys expressing their thoughts. This cleverly designed journal is so quick and easy that they’ll be able to keep a streak going of completing it each day, with likely happy results!
This Ambient Book Lamp is perfect for grads heading off to a dorm room or any graduate who enjoys books. The open book casts a soothing reading light, while the closed book takes up little space and is easily portable.
Finally, buy this soft, lightweight yet oh so cozy “Just One More Chapter” Blanket along with one of the books listed above, and you’ve got a gift that’s worthy of the Dean’s List!
Bookish Quiz: Grads and Vocabularians Test Your Word Knowledge!
Faizan Zaki, the 2025 winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, spelled "éclaircissement" as his final word. He didn’t even ask for the definition before he spelled it!
Faizan is 13 years old and already knows more than I do. I certainly would struggle with spelling it. And the definition? Um, well .. (Answer: "éclaircissement" is a French word that means clarification or enlightenment.)
How strong is your knowledge of big words? Want to test it out?
This Buzzfeed Quiz will put your big word vocabulary to the test! See how you rank amongst other quiz takers or a grad in your life. I thought I had a strong vocabulary game, but I only scored 18 out of 30. For fun, share your score!
June Bookish News: It’s Pride Month!
In honor of Pride Month, I've curated a booklist of adult fiction recommendations that celebrate LGBTQIA+ authors. This list includes exciting new releases, such as Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Oprah’s Book Club pick, The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong.
See the Bookshop.org list here to discover new perspectives, highly talented authors, and page-turning stories.
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