8 Books on Creativity You’ll Read Again and Again

I’m a big fan of creativity.

Creative thinking. Creative living. And creative mindfulness and kindness - aka kindfulness.

I love the process of creativity too - of coming up with a new idea.

Here’s my top list of the absolute best books I’ve ever read on creativity in no particular creative order. Enjoy!

1. Creative Confidence

Get it here: Creative Confidence on Amazon

There’s three reasons that make this book awesome:

1. The authors founded and run one of the more successful innovation agencies in the world - IDEO.

2. They decided to write this book after one of the authors had a potentially terminal cancer. He survived, and the two brothers wrote from their hearts.

3. The books is based on the experience of training thousands of people from all walks of life. The book is not just all talk, but based on solid experience and ‘success’.

2. Thinkertoys

Get it here: Thinkertoys on Amazon

This is up there with the above book, but very different. The similarities include the level of experience. Based on millions of dollars of research, this book is a culmination and condensation of that work. I love the writing style too. More like a reference book than a book you read from cover to cover.

3. The Mind Map Book by Tony Buzan

Get it here: The Mind Map Book by Tony Buzan on Amazon

I’m a huge fan of mind maps. If you’ve never used them, you’re in for a treat.

I learnt about them as a child, and have been using them ever since. Lots of great ideas, new programs and solutions have come to me from doing a mind map.

4. A Whack of the Side of the Head

Get it here: A Whack of the Side of the Head on Amazon

Fabulous book. Fun, simple and easy to read. And yet if you do the exercises, you’ll find yourself creatively solving all sorts of problems. A handy book to give your patterns of thinking a shake up.

5. The Artist’s Way

Get it here: The Artist’s Way on Amazon

The one idea in this book, of writing ‘morning pages’, is one of the most popular and powerful of all creative exercises that I’ve come across.

I’ve been doing a combination of journaling and morning pages on most mornings, for about 7 years. Transformative stuff.

6. Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung

Get it here: Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung on Amazon

One of my favourite books of all time, and certainly my favourite teacher. Full of fantastic stories from one of the funniest, wisest and kindest Buddhist monks out there. The stories will stimulate your creativity and much more too.

7. The Luck Factor

Get it here: The Luck Factor on Amazon

Did you know that luck isn’t actually as random as you think? 10 years of studies have found some people are luckier than others, and through specific exercises, you can boost your luck. Not luck in the sense of the lottery, but everyday luck, chance encounters and finding life going your way. I love this book. Nice, creative research and full of practical hope.

8. One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way

Get it here: One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way on Amazon

Kaizen is the ‘the art of making great and lasting change through small, steady steps’.

Most people are too desperate to improve themselves. But if you do want to make a change in your life, I think this approach works best. The book is full of examples of apply these principles. A simple, doable and creative way to make changes in your life, if you choose to do so.

And ONE extra one for you all…

9. The ONE thing

Get it here: The ONE thing on Amazon

I’ll summarise this book in one sentence.

Start everyday by doing ONE thing, which needs to be something that makes your life easier in the long run.

I do recommend you read the whole book, as it has a lot more useful tips too. By simplifying your life in this way, you’ll be less overwhelmed and more kindful.