5 Fantastic Books for Creatives
Resources to pull you out of your creative silo
This week is a peek at five books that have made a big impact on my forward momentum as a creative. Before we get into the list and the highlights from each of them, one reason I find these books so helpful is that they all share a perspective that pulls me out of my own bubble.
Creating in a silo is like chasing your own tail. As someone who is wayyy too good at “hermiting,” adding in the good, disruptive energy of outside perspectives is what helps us shape our own into something other than a smooth sphere.
For a long time I was only interested in books as a form of escape. And many good stories provide that necessary pleasure in life. But once I started picking up books that were someone else’s perspective on topics that meant something to me, my horizons started to expand exponentially.
These books have helped me develop my own perspectives on creativity, forward momentum, and success, as well as deepen my ability to self-reflect. All of which has been helping me progress toward my goals in life.
So, without further ado, here are 5 great books to check out. *jazz hands*
Book #1
Resonate: for anyone who wants to build an audience
By Alex Wolf
This tiny, 170-ish page book is packed with insight for those who know they have to step into the light at some point on their journey. I’ve re-read portions of it already after just finishing it toward the end of last year and it still packs a punch in all the right ways.
The Highlight:
Besides the literal entirety of the book, the permission slip of “you don’t have to change the world with your art” lifted a weight that I didn’t even know I was carrying. And it has made things a LOT more fun on this creative journey.
Book #2
The Karma of Success: Spiritual Strategies to Free Your Inner Genius
By Liz Tran
The blending of the practical with the unseen in this is just right. For those with big ambitions in the face of disappointment or even tragedy, Liz is a great cheerleader because she’s seen it all. Sharing the the way she navigated major ups and and really big downs is honest and brings a much needed perspective to the personal mountains many of us are staring at.
The Highlight:
This book helped me double down on incorporating my intuition as part of my decision-making process. Not to mention, cheerleading myself got easier after reading this book.
Book #3
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
By Elizabeth Gilbert
You might have guessed this book would be noted. And for good reason! This was one of the first few books I read after blowing up my life 5 years ago and needing to figure out who TF I even was. It’s been a minute, so I think this is going to be a good re-read soon, but the book speaks to the relationship one has to creativity like no other book I’ve read.
The Highlight:
I began cultivating a real relationship with my creativity after reading this beautiful perspective.
Book #4
The Creative Act: A Way of Being
By Rick Rubin
This one might not surprise you either as it’s EVERYWHERE these days. But when every page is packed with nugget after nugget of rich insight, you know it’s something special. This is the kind of book that is deceptively simple yet so potent that it actually takes time to soak in. I find myself coming back to random pages (because almost all of them are already dog-eared) for a little jump-start or spark for creative thinking.
The Highlight:
It’s a great one for those who like to reflect via journaling as it’s thick with perspectives to muse over. This is a treasure trove for self-reflection and inner work when it comes to strengthening your relationship to self-expression.
Book #5
Higher Creativity: Liberating the Unconscious for Breakthrough Insights
By Willis Harman, Ph.D. and Howard Rheingold
A confession… I haven’t finished this one just yet. But the approach is such a unique one in comparison to the others. Perhaps because it’s more of an academic/scientific angle and investigates the connection of inspiration and the subconscious. Regardless, the perspectives examined in this book reaffirmed things I had been establishing for myself in connection with creative potential and how we access it.
The Highlight (so far):
The affirmation of “clearing out the junk” in one’s subconscious to make way for a better creative flow speaks to the inner work I was already familiar with. Those of us who are already inclined toward engaging that work will likely find these perspectives fascinating.
These books are among quite a few that I am so grateful I spent time absorbing what they have to offer. If you have some books to add to this list that have impacted you, please add them in the comments for others to find!
Until next time, friends. Create bravely and keep betting on yourself.
P.S. If you’d like to see what my art is like and peek into my more art-filled creative life, come follow me on Instagram. 🌹
All solid recommendations. I would add "The courage to create" as another good read in the space.
I hadnt heard of 1, 2, and 5 - adding to my reading list!