What Experts Read: New Adult Novels That Reflect Real-Life Transitions and Self-Discovery

Our decisions are frequently influenced by stories long before we are aware of it. The sensation of being “drawn” into a story, or narrative transportation, has been shown by psychologists to have a real impact on emotional resilience, motivation, and creativity. A lot of professionals may recall a time when reading a book slightly changed the way they dealt with uncertainty or addressing problems. Have you ever finished a book and then suddenly had a fresh perspective on your own struggles? Literature has the ability to mirror our internal conflicts and provide insight without dictating solutions. “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike,” as Maya Angelou once remarked, serves as a reminder of why the hardships of the characters seem so familiar. This roundup examines how some novels subtly influence development in the real world, one pivotal moment at a time.

Midnight Library Taught Founder to Embrace Mistakes

Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library reminds me of my own shift from patient to health-tech founder. That book is all about the pressure to make the right choices. We learned at Superpower that the best growth comes from messing up and being open to new ideas. The book shows the same thing, reminding you that even when you’re not sure, that’s part of the process.

Max Marchione, Co-Founder, Superpower

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Opposite of Loneliness Mirrors Startup’s Messy Growth

Reading Marina Keegan’s The Opposite of Loneliness felt like she was describing our time building Prezlab. That sense of growing bit by bit, figuring out our direction, learning from every pivot. Our team’s confidence grew in those first few months as we started embracing change. It taught me that those messy periods are part of the growth, even when you can’t see the next step at all.

Ibrahim Alnabelsi, VP – New Ventures, Prezlab

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Rooted in Grace Reminds Founder of Purpose

“Rooted in Grace” hits home. When I built Magic Hour, I was juggling big opportunities with keeping my own voice. In creative tech, every move brings new freedom, but you have to fight to remember why you started in the first place. Our team moves fast, but we constantly ask if we’re still doing what we set out to do. My advice is simple: go for it, but don’t lose track of what got you here.

Runbo Li, CEO, Magic Hour

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Easy Shows How to Recover from Failure

Tammara Webber’s “Easy” really got to me. It’s about recovering when things fall apart, which my team at ShipTheDeal knows all about. We’ve learned that you can’t let a failure shut you down, you just have to keep moving. If you’re picking up the pieces after something big, give this book a try.

Cyrus Partow, CEO, ShipTheDeal

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Roomies Reflects Pivot’s Uncertain Yet Fruitful Journey

Reading Christina Lauren’s Roomies after my sabbatical felt like someone was writing my life. Coming back to tech was a mess, just like the book. We made a big pivot, and for a few months, nothing happened. Then a new direction started to show up. My take? Those uncertain moments are exactly where you find the best stuff. You just have to jump.

Alvin Poh, Chairman, CLDY.com Pte Ltd

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Normal People Validates Career Change and Confusion

Sally Rooney’s Normal People gets what it feels like to switch careers and not know who you are anymore. It’s just two people figuring themselves out while everyone else assumes they have it sorted. The book doesn’t give you answers, but it does make you feel less alone in being a bit lost. That feeling is actually part of figuring things out.

Brandon Brown, CEO, Search Party

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Alchemist Guides Founder Through Uncertain Startup Path

I kept thinking about The Alchemist while launching Backlinker AI. It felt less like following a map and more like just walking, figuring it out as I went. There were plenty of dead ends. The book gets that right. If you’re lost, don’t worry about the destination. Just keep moving.

Bennett Heyn, Founder, Backlinker AI

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Global Ambitions Turned Frustration Into Creative Breakthroughs

Reading ‘Global Ambitions’ took me back to starting Tutorbase in Asia. Some days, figuring out new markets felt completely overwhelming. But looking back, that’s when my team and I did our most creative work. When you’re feeling stuck or frustrated by the status quo, try using that feeling. That’s often where your best ideas come from, the real breakthroughs.

Sandro Kratz, Founder, Tutorbase

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Fangirl Inspired Daily Habit That Launched Career

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell resonates with my early-twenties transition. Cath forms a creative practice through the slow and gradual process of learning to ask for help and establishing boundaries. After college, I followed the same path—writing one page every day before my day job, which ultimately resulted in my first paid project six months later. The three main points are: secure a daily habit with a simple rule, locate one encouraging community, and view feedback as fuel rather than a verdict. I also set aside time for my passion, which not only kept me from burning out but also let me monitor my progress. If you are feeling stuck, start with a 20-minute session today, produce something small, and let consistency take care of the hard work.

Elisa Branda, Founder & CEO, NuvolediBellezza

About ‘What Experts Read’

In our unique series, ‘What Experts Read,’ discover the literary inspirations and must-reads of thought leaders and industry experts. Each article highlights the books that have impacted the viewpoints, tactics, and success of successful entrepreneurs and seasoned leaders in their respective areas.

Discover a wide range of sectors, including technology, finance, healthcare, and more, as professionals share their best book suggestions and talk about the significant influence these reads have had on their careers. Discover priceless information, expand your horizons, and gain insightful knowledge from experts at the forefront of their fields.

‘What Experts Read’ is an insightful look at the relationship between knowledge, experience, and the written word, and it may be of interest to anybody looking for motivation, strategic advice, or just to learn more about the reading preferences of prominent industry figures. Join us for this insightful tour of the most important leaders’ bookshelves of today.

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