I'm 29, so I'm almost finished my 20s. In fact, I'll be 30 in three months. How strange to think about!

Anyway, if I could recommend only one book to read in your 20s, it would be 1984 by George Orwell. This book was written in 1949 by British author George Orwell (his real name was Eric Arthur Blair) and is about the dangers of authoritarianism and fascism. 

The book takes place in the future (the year 1984) in England. England is under the complete control of a dictator named "Big Brother". There is no privacy, and there is constant, never-ending war.  

When you're in your 20s, you are still forming new ideas about the world around you. You are discovering what you believe in. You are also figuring out what you don't like -- what is dangerous, and what things you should question or think deeply about. This book will help you do that. 

This book will make you think about many things you see on the news. It will make you think critically about other governments, and your own government, about war, and about politics in general.

This year has been very politically divided, so I feel this book is especially important right now. I believe you will learn things about society, but also about yourself when you read it. 

Just a warning, though: it's a very depressing book. Sorry!

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Authoritarianism: The belief that we must follow the authority of the government or the leader no matter what. There is no personal freedom. 

Fascism: A type of government led by a dictator that has total power. These governments are also very nationalistic (they value their own country above everything else).

Dictator: A leader with complete control.