Does anyone still reads books? yes there are people who prefer books over the internet.
Picture this: You’re staring at a blank canvas (or screen, or notebook), and your brain feels like it’s been replaced with a particularly boring potato. We’ve all been there, folks. That’s why today I’m diving into the best books for creative inspiration that’ll make your artistic neurons do the cha-cha.
The Creative Block Struggle is Real
Let’s face it – creative blocks hit harder than your ex’s “I’m doing just fine” Instagram stories. Finding the right best books for creative inspiration can be the difference between feeling like a creative genius and wondering if maybe you should have listened to your parents about that accounting degree.
Why Books Still Matter in the TikTok Age
Of course, we are in the age when you can download inspiration into short clips no longer than 15 sec; however, there is a plethora of children and adults who find themselves thrilled when a book is opened. Versatility of medium, ſatisfaction from the feeling of the paper under your fingertips, from the smell of the pages, from the fact that one cannot scroll down to the cats’ videos – books are the vinyl records of inspiration.
The Heavy Hitters: Books That Actually Work
Now, let’s get into the meat and potatoes of the best books for creative inspiration. These aren’t your typical self-help mumbo jumbo – these are battle-tested weapons against creative drought.
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
In other words, this book is what you were waiting for to become a creative thief (and that is perfectly fine). Kleon hits you with the real a few pointed statements that every artist is scavenging material from the world for inspiration. It is as if he is arguing, “Hey, Picasso was a thief, Bowie was a thief, so are you.”
The good: It doesn’t last long, it’s concise, and feels like being able to discuss with that arts teacher that let you eat during class. The downside is that you might develop the concern that all the ideas that you get are not unique (break your heart, they never were).
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert is a master nourisher of creative ideas as if he is feeding off the cosmos. Ideas are portrayed to be the sort of creatures that are in search of a host – rather peculiar until the three chapters into the novel the concept begins to register.
The upside: It’s like taking your soul for a jog to revive and energize the imagination without any need for a checking account. The downside is that as soon as you decide that you have an idea, you can find yourself talking to it at bus stops and that is not a bad thing as well.
The Underdogs That Pack a Punch
Sometimes the best books for creative inspiration aren’t the ones everyone’s talking about. These hidden gems deserve their moment in the spotlight.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Thus, Pressfield simply declares war against procrastination and even gives it a sinister name – Resistance. It is like having a strict commanding officer for one’s creative career, but this one has a lot of impact. While it does not patronize you, it gets your derriere in motion Motor.
The beautiful: The talk is motivational AF and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. The bad: There is such a thing as hating your Netflix account for not showing you episodes as much as you give it your spare time.
Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie
Just the title of Jimmie Killian’s book is enough to tell you that this is not just an ordinary guide for improving creativity at the office. MacKenzie shared valuable insight for any employee who wants to remain creative in the dystopia that is the corporate world, but specifically because MacKenzie was a creative of Hallmark. Or, as a memo to aspiring writers, artists, musicians, and photographers who don’t want their dreams to turn into day jobs.
The Practical Picks for Visual Artists
For those of you who think in colors and shapes rather than words, these best books for creative inspiration speak your language.
Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland
This book is about the psycho-logical strategies involved in the preparation of art. It is like two art tutors who know every trick in the trade and who will not hesitate to put it bluntly to a learner. They cover all aspects from perfectionism to the insecurity of being surrounded by people with bigger talents.
The good: It effectively relates to the situations that every artist goes through. The bad: You may shed a tear or two (but it is not because you are unhappy).
Creative Confidence by Tom and David Kelley
These two managers from IDEO demonstrate that creativity is not a monopoly of the artistically-cum-artistically inclined. This piece discredits the popular belief that one cannot be creative if he/she did not grow up with creativity pre-installed as a gift. The kind of thinking that it represents is just like “Hey, you can learn the juggle, right?” As far as creativity is concerned, it also operates this way.”
The Digital Age Disruptors
Because we can’t ignore that most of us create with pixels nowadays, here are some best books for creative inspiration that bridge the gap between old-school wisdom and new-school reality.
Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
Kleon is back at it again with this one that aims to guide the reader through how to share their art in the contemporary world. It is not simply broadcasting the final piece on Instagram – it’s about letting the audience observe the process which is full of imperfections and creativity.
The good: It makes self-promoting okay without having you feel like you are selling out. The downside is that you might turn into that guy/girl who records everything (but on the bright side, at least, you’ll dominate every conversation).
The Wrap-Up: Which Book Should You Start With?
Choosing from these best books for creative inspiration is like picking your favorite child – impossible and slightly guilt-inducing. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to choose just one. Start with whatever speaks to your current creative crisis.
Suggestions of certain books, especially if they are unknown to the reader, can help to break a bad mood so take a piece of advice and grab “Big Magic”. If procrastination is your biggest foe, then, “The War of Art” is your ammunition. If that is the case, then the book titled “Orbiting the Giant Hairball” is the life preserver for you.
Just the same, these books are not props; they are better considered as supplements for creativity. Yes, you must take them both repeatedly and, indeed, practice what you are learning. I promise your future creatives self you that grabbing any of these bad boys will be a decision well made.
My God, go and change the world. And should anyone inquire as to where you got your ideas, you can pompously reply that you are into some light reading.
P.S. If you’re still reading this instead of buying one of these books, I’m judging you a little bit. Just kidding… but seriously, go get inspired!
