Must-Read Books For Creatives

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Below are some of my favorite books for creatives, regardless of where you are in your practice and what your medium is. I especially recommend these to art educators and creatives looking for assistance in overcoming creative blocks. If you have a book you’d like to recommend or a thought about these books, drop a comment below!

1. Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention

by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a psychologist specializing in the study creativity and quality of life. He wrote both of the first two books on this list. 

Creativity is the quintessential book on the subject, examining the dualities present in creative personalities, the importance of the relationship of the work being made to the domain to which it belongs, and the creative process. My favorite takeaway was how Csikszentmihalyi framed creativity not as the ability to produce artwork, but as a mental skill in which a person can examine an issue from multiple angles and apply information in novel ways. It is essential reading for creatives and educators of all kinds. 

2. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Have you ever been so deeply absorbed by a task that you completely lose track of time? This addictive state is what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi defines as “flow.” This phenomenon is not limited only to creatives, but anyone who gets lost in their work. This book provides interesting context and considerations for those looking to better appreciate this state and in turn be better able to cultivate conditions that allow it. 

3. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

by Anne Lamott

Writing is perhaps the most underrated skill for artists, and maybe even for non-artists. As artists, we produce biographies, artist statements, grant applications and essays; your written word can often be the make or break factor in an application. But how do you start? How do you overcome writer’s block? You take it bird by bird. 

This book is an excellent support for anyone looking to strengthen their ability to write. The chapter “Shitty First Drafts” has saved me countless hours of stagnation by freeing me from perfection and encouraging me to just get words on the page. I recommend this book to any artist, any college student, and any educator looking for a good writing book to recommend to students. 

4. Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking

by David Bayles and Ted Orland

“Fear” might be attention-getting, but this book is more about creative resilience and absolution. For many of us, anxiety is part of the creative process and it can get in the way of our productivity. When your self-worth is tied directly to your creative practice, that presents a slippery slope into existential dread. This short book offers a sense of camaraderie along with some succinct advice that can be the medicine you need. 

 

5. Daily Rituals: How Artists Work

by Mason Currey

Interesting insights into the habits of all types of famous creatives, from choreographers to poets. I’ll summarize it for you — most of them woke up at 4am, and ate the same thing everyday. A fun binge read for the curious.