I remember seeing these books when I was in my late 20s and didn't really get the ideas put forth from them while I did see them in other friends and family members.
I didn't experience anything like a quarter life as described. I was a bit lost in my early 20s and resolved to correct it within a year, that didn't pan out until I was 23, and then I started building a lifestyle that I wanted slowly, surely, and securely. This meant I didn't overextend myself to buy things that I wanted like cars, TVs, new computers. I had always been a master at delayed gratification, so this was no different for me.
By 28 I hit all the goals I had for 30 for my career, money, materials. I never reset any goals since then, but have used it as a foundation to continue to build a sustainable lifestyle to travel and enjoy the city I live in.
Now, I'm ready for my midlife crisis, but I'm not going to mortgage that either...
__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.