7 Books Are Necessary Reading for All Creatives

One of the most challenging aspects of creative work is, well, sitting down to actually do it. There are so many different ways to cull out one’s creativity. Some writers say they wait for inspiration to strike, while others write everyday so their best work has an opportunity to show up eventually. Some artists insist on being original; and some believe the best artists beg, borrow, and steal their inspiration from the work of other artists. Some creatives need to do their work while listening to music or sitting in a loud cafe, and others need complete silence.

There is no “right” way to unleash your creative potential, but we’re believers in learning from the greats and creating your own artistic roadmap based on what resonates with you. Here are seven books that will inspire your inner genius—whether you do your creative work on a canvas or a spreadsheet.

1. The War of Art

If you’ve ever struggled with a creative block (so basically, all of us), you must read The War of Art. It’s a quick, practical guide to success in your creative endeavors. Bestselling novelist Steven Pressfield talks about the “enemy” that every artist must face: the voice within that halts your work. If you’ve ever struggled with ambition and creative discipline, this book is the kick in the ass you need to get over your fears and get on with your most important work. Whether you’re a writer, painter, or tech entrepreneur, this is a worthwhile and inspirational read.

2. On Writing

My goodness. Stephen King’s part-memoir, part-writer’s guide On Writing is a must-read for any writer. He’s written over fifty books, so he knows a thing or two about the craft. He seamlessly weaves together stories about his college days and a near-death experience with a tactical writer’s tool kit and writing assignments. Some of our favorite advice: Read a lot of good stuff. Write every single day. Stick to the point. Tell your stories in a way that allows your readers to envision the movie playing in your mind when you write. And always, always trust your gut. This book is an absolute gem.

3. Steal Like An Artist

Steal Like An Artist is such a fabulous, quick 160-page read. You’ll even want to rip out the simple black and white animations throughout the book and hang them on the wall above your desk. When you read this book by author Austin Kleon, you’ll feel like you’re having a conversation with a good friend. The whole premise of this book is that the most important part of being an artist is being yourself. He also shares a hidden truth about creativity: nothing is truly original—and that’s more than okay.

A few of his other pieces of advice include: write the book you want to read, don’t wait until you know who you are to get started, and be nice (the world is a small town). This is one of those little books you’ll want to keep on your coffee table and flip through whenever you need a dose of inspiration.

4. Big Magic

Elizabeth Gilbert, the bestselling author of Eat Pray Love, delivers a stellar book about “creative living beyond fear” with Big Magic. While she talks about her particular craft (writing), this book will resonate with anyone pursuing creative work—and Gilbert would argue that all of us are doing creative work, regardless of our chosen professions and hobbies.

One of the most resonant parts of Big Magic was a chapter where she describes creative ideas as entities in and of themselves. She talks about ideas hopping from one person to the next until someone is finally ready to take action and bring the idea to life. If you’ve ever read a book or witnessed a startup launch and thought, “I had the same idea X years ago!,” this chapter alone will make it all make sense—and likely make you want to act on more of your ideas, more often. You’ll walk away from reading this book with a different perspective on what it means to be “creative.”

5. Bird by Bird

You can find plenty of books about the art of writing, but if you want to cut to the chase and read one of the best, try Bird by Bird. Anne Lamott is a treasured author, and you’ll see why once you dig into this. If her writing style could be summed up in a song, it would definitely be Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way”—and her way is a very good way to go.

Like Stephen King’s On Writing, Lamott’s Bird by Bird is a compilation of both writing and life advice. Her stories will engage you the whole way through, and make you laugh and cry when you least expect it. Her big pieces of advice: don’t be afraid to write shitty first drafts, don’t show anyone your first draft, and write a minimum of 300 words every day. This book is sure to feel like a warm hug to both aspiring and seasoned writers.

6. The Artist’s Way

The Artist’s Way is written in a course-like format, guiding your through various exercises over a 12-week period that will help you unleash your inner creative. If you’re struggling with writer’s block, this is definitely a worthwhile read. Be warned: this book requires active participation. If you’re not up for doing actual exercises, you’re not going to get nearly as much out of this one. But, if you’re committed to reengaging your creativity, this book provides an incredibly useful, step-by-step process that will help you do just that. One of the most popular exercises in this book is “morning pages,” where you’re instructed to write every morning for three whole pages without stopping. You can learn more about the popular exercise here.

7. Creative Confidence

IDEO is the powerhouse behind Creative Confidence, which should already tell you a lot about what you can expect from this read. The company has revolutionized countless businesses by emphasizing human-centered design. More than any other resource on this list, Creative Confidence is for everyone—especially entrepreneurs who are looking to take a more creative approach to the way they think about solving problems and building products.

IDEO Founder David Kelley and his brother, IDEO partner and bestselling author Tom Kelley, collaborated on this book to help readers unleash the creative potential within them—and they firmly believe all of us are born with creativity in our genes. Whether you’re an accountant or an artist, a lawyer or a writer, you’re sure to get a lot of of this thought-provoking book.

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