Great Books on Creativity

There are many good books written about creativity. Here are some recommendations in no particular order:

• "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield - This book explores the concept of resistance and how it affects creativity. It provides practical advice for overcoming creative blocks and becoming more productive.

• "The Creative Habit" by Twyla Tharp - Tharp shares her insights and techniques for cultivating creativity in this book. She emphasizes the importance of developing a routine and creating a conducive environment for creativity. I read this book about 15 years ago, and it freed me up to be organized, disciplined, and artistic. Society doesn’t always combine those traits, but it works well for me.

• "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert - A disclaimer: I don’t care for all of Gilbert’s writing. But in this text, Gilbert draws on her own experiences as a writer to provide advice and inspiration for other creatives. She encourages readers to embrace their curiosity, take risks, and pursue their passions. It is inspiring.

• "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon - Kleon provides a fresh and entertaining take on creativity. He encourages readers to embrace influence and learn from other artists while also developing their own unique style.

• "The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron - I first read this book in 1998 and have done so at least three other times. It’s the type of book you can lean into in different ways depending on the season of your life. Full of exercises to help you unlock your creativity, this book is also a bit of a guide on how to live as an artist.

• “The Creativity License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be The Artist You Truly Are” by Danny Gregory - I believe everyone can draw, and this book will help you start that practice and bolster you up that you can do it. Gregory has a really friendly approach.

• “Tomie dePaola: His Art and His Stories” by Barbara Elleman - Best known for his children’s books, this book reflects on dePaola’s zest for life and how his experiences and beliefs impact his work.

• “Naming the Animals: An Invitation to Creativity” by Stephen Roach - The Goodreads website says it so well — What if creativity was not a talent given to a chosen few, but an invitation extended to us all? What if the desire for beauty was not gratuitous in life but central to our faith? Drawing upon the biblical account of Creation and the witness of a myriad of creative thinkers, this book asserts that all of us—from plumbers to painters and meteorologists to musicians—were made in the image of an imaginative God.

• “Called to Create: A Biblical Invitation to Create, Innovate and Risk” by Jordan Raynor - This energizing book is based upon the premise that God is the ultimate creator, and we are all called to carry that work on no matter what our profession.

• What would you recommend to make this a list of ten? Let me know in the comments or via email!

These are just a few examples, but there are many more books out there that explore creativity from different perspectives. Just to be upfront, the links are all via my Amazon Affiliate program.