Are you looking for best-selling books on creativity for inspiration, and deeper insight?
Everyone talks about the benefits of logical creativity…
You know, the kind where in our daily lives we can easily access a wide range of skills ( example- problem-solving, innovative thinking) just by us taking the time to practice creativity.
But did you know that we actually have two types of creativity that are equally important in order to reach ultimate creative success?
Scientists call this divergent thinking (exploring different ideas, more free-flowing, & non-linear.) and convergent thinking (evaluating & analyzing ideas more It is methodical, organized, and linear.)
For example, blue light ( like working on our computers) boosts convergent thinking ability 24% while moving ( like dance, walking, running) increases divergent thinking ability by 18%.
So, here are the top 5 creative books that are a perfect mix to inspire your both types of your inner creative genius—whether you do your creative work in the office, dance studio, or at home.
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1. Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear
Best known for “Eat, Pray,Love” Elizabeth Gilbert is sharing her artistic wisdom by taking us the creative process journey. This insightful book is a must-have for anyone- regardless if you do your creative work with a 9-5, at home, or are looking to bring the benefits of it into your life. This is because Gilbert shows goes in deep to help see how easy being creative actually is. Personally, I love how in the book she debunks several myths of the ” suffering artist” and the ” complex creative mystery.”
2. The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma
“In order to change, people need to become aware of their sensations and the way that their bodies interact with the world around them. Physical self-awareness is the first step in releasing the tyranny of the past.”
― Bessel A. van der Kolk
Understanding the body and the massive role it plays in our mental wellbeing is vital to accessing creative embodiment. Written by one of the world’s lead researchers and traumatic stress expert, Bessel van der Kolk, he helps readers to understand how our past experiences shape our mind, brain and body.
3. The Artist’s Way : A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
This book is a known as the “creatives guide stable”. In fact, it helped to inspire artists like Elizabeth Gilbert, Kerry Washington, Reese Witherspoon, and Tim Ferriss. Julia Cameron provides an easy to follow guide that helps us to find a deeper connection to our creative purpose and process. This book gives you an opportunity for deeper self awareness as she takes reader on a path to help uncover issues that could be contributing to creative block.
4. When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress
This book helps you to under why our bodies are just as important in the making of the creative process. And when I’m looking for a good read, I need two things:
- Easy to read
- Written by an expert in the field
- Loads of research back up claims
And who better to learn from then the award winning psychologist Dr Gabor Maté’? This book answers the questions about how stress and background play a massive role in today’s common diseases, and the mind-body link.
5. Steal Like An Artist
Whenever I need a quick pick me up, Steal Like An Artist is one of the short easy to read books that I love to around. Austin Kleon has a casual tone yet leaves you with inspiration to trust your creative side. The goal of the book is to remind us that being an artist is about staying true to ourselves and nothing is really original about creativity ( and there’s nothing wrong with that!)