Eight Inspiring Books About Creativity

I am endlessly fascinated by creativity and constantly look for new books about creativity. It doesn’t even have to be a creative field I can relate to. I just love learning about other people’s experiences and how they channel their creativity in exciting ways. I’m particularly interested in learning how people got from point A to point B. What were their challenges? How did they overcome them?

If you’re looking for something to inspire you this summer, here are eight of my favorite books about art, writing, movies, and pushing your limits to get out of your comfort zone.

Eight Books About Creativity

Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin

I am a huge fan of Steve Martin, so of course, I was going to read his book as soon as it came out. He is a comedian, actor, musician, and art collector (who doesn’t love someone who appreciates art?). Martin’s journey into comedy was fun to learn about, and his incredible dedication to his craft is so inspiring.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Writing does not come naturally to me. English was never my favorite subject in school. I feel like I tend to write like I speak – rambling. I read this book one summer because I enjoy getting into people’s heads to see what makes them successful with their medium. It was a good read with helpful advice on creative writing. It didn’t help me much with my own writing, but it did make me appreciate the medium more.

Adventures in the Screen Trade by William Goldman

I picked up this book after I finished On Writing. It is a little outdated (it was written in 1983, and the movie industry has changed a lot since then), but it was still fun to read how the industry works from a screenwriter’s perspective. Movies are one of my favorite forms of escape, so getting a behind-the-scenes look into their creation was interesting.

The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp

Any creative person will tell you how easy it is to fall into ruts or have a creative dry spell. Personally, I read this book while on vacation and feeling a bit tapped out. In this book, Tharp provides exercises to tap into your creativity, which are always good to have in your back pocket to tap into when you need them.

Everything She Touched: The Life of Ruth Asawa by Marilyn Chase

A college art professor, who I adore, recommended this book to me. I did not know Ruth Asawa’s art, so learning about her work and life was fascinating. I think anyone juggling being a wife, a mother, and a good citizen, with finding time to make art will find this particularly inspiring.

The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone

When I was younger, I did not like reading because I could never find books I liked. I was required to read The Agony and the Ecstasy for my one and only AP class in high school, and I dreaded it. In my naivete, I had no idea what it was about. When I cracked open that book, I was instantly captivated by learning about the life and art of Michelangelo Buonarroti. It’s an oldie but a goodie!

The Year of Living Danishly: My Twelve Months Unearthing the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country by Helen Russell

I loved this book. It is light, funny, and I learned a lot about Danish culture through the author. It also felt like a friendly reminder to try new things and experience new cultures.

My Year with Eleanor by Noelle Hancock

This was one of the first books I read after leaving my full-time job and starting out on my own. At the time, launching my business was daunting, and, if I’m honest, it’s still challenging at times. In this book, the author’s job is eliminated, so she decides to follow the advice of Eleanor Roosevelt for one year: every day, do one thing that scares you. It is a great reminder to embrace change and put yourself in scary (to you) situations to help you grow. Bonus, you accumulate up lots of great stories for dinner parties!

These books should all be easy to find at your local library or favorite independent bookstore.

What about you?

What books about creativity have you read? I would love to hear your recommendations! If you’re looking for more book recommendations, we have past round-ups of our favorite books about color and books about textiles.