Do you want to be more creative? Here are five of the best books on creativity I’ve read recently, from the practical to the inspiring.
I prefer to read fiction in printed form (preferably in my cozy blue chair, with coffee or wine), but for books on creativity, business, and self-improvement, I love audiobooks. There’s just something about listening to the voice of the narrator that inspires me to put their words into action.Whether I’m doing the dishes or wandering the streets of Paris, I’m usually listening to an audiobook.
If you don’t have an Audible account, you get two free books when you sign up. You can also get all of these books through Libro.fm, an amazingly user-friendly app–like audible, only better. When you purchase audiobooks through Libro.fm, you get the same prices as audible, but you’re supporting your local indie store. Sign up for Libro.fm and get your first month free.
THE CREATIVE HABIT, by Twyla Tharp
If you read only one book on creativity, it should be The Creative Habit.
Most of us will never be choreographers. That’s part of what makes this treatise on creativity by renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp so fascinating. Whether you’re a writer, artist, musician, dancer, or someone who has yet to discover your creative outlet, Tharp provides exercises and inspiration to help you to live a creative life. Tharp offers advice on clearing mental and physical clutter, getting out of a creative rut, getting your ideas down on paper (and in a box), and more. The Creative Habit is hands down one of the best books on creativity I’ve ever read, and it’s one I return to again and again.
Listen to The Creative Habit on Audible
THE ONE THING: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results, by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
Be more creative by focusing on one thing.
Learn how to cut through the noise and do what matters. I first read this book in 2017 and have since reread it–twice. If you’re spreading yourself too thin, achieving less by trying to do too many things, this book is for you.
The primary message is to figure out the one thing that matters to you in each area of your life and make it happen by spending the lion’s share of your time on that one thing. My husband has been telling me for years, “Quit the other stuff. Just write. Writing is your thing. It’s also how you make a living.” And he’s correct, as usual.
The book also made me think more clearly, though, about my two-pronged business. I am a writer, but I also teach writing. I love teaching and didn’t want to give it up. So I created a way to stay connected with aspiring writers by teaching and mentoring through Fiction Master Class, and by working as a writing coach. This book book provided a system for organizing my time in each area of my writing business. (And yes, writing is a business!)
Listen to THE ONE THING on Audible
SMARTER FASTER BETTER, by Charles Duhigg
I picked this up because I loved Duhigg’s previous book, THE POWER OF HABIT. In Smarter, Faster, Better, Duhigg jumps on the productivity bandwagon; but the interesting stories of high achievers, combined with eight concepts you can put into action in your own life, make this productivity tome soar above the rest. As a self-employed author and small press publisher, I skimmed some of the stories of corporate success to focus on the techniques individuals have used to improve their performance.
GET THE AUDIOBOOK of Smarter Faster Better
THE YEAR WITHOUT A PURCHASE, by Scott Dannemiller
An unexpected book on creativity – paring down the excess leads to breakthroughs.
What does minimalism have to do with creativity? you might be wondering. I find that the more I have, the more I have to manage. Unnecessary things–unless they are things that inspire–tend to get in the way of creativity.
How much creative time do you lose shopping? How many times a day do you click an email leading you to an online sale, when you could be writing or doing you creative work instead?
In addition to being financially and environmentally harmful, endless shopping is a huge waste of time–time we could be spending with our families, achieving our goals and being creative. The Year Without a Purchase serves as a reminder that we already have most of what we need.
Read The Year Without a Purchase
MONTAINGE, by Stefan Zweig
Find creative inspiration with this book about an icon of creativity.
This biography Montaigne is a beautiful reminder of why intellectual thought, freedom of expression, and self-examination matter. A highly readable biography of one of the world’s most influential thinkers and writers, particularly apropos for our time.
Read Montaigne, by Stefan Zweig
Michelle Richmond is the internationally bestselling author of five novels, including THE MARRIAGE PACT and GOLDEN STATE, and two story collections. Her books have been published in 30 languages. She mentors writers through the Novel Writing Master Class and the popular novel writing program, Novel in Nine.