Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Books That Boost Skills & Creativity
15
items A mix of books that shaped my mindset, improved my skills, and inspired creativity. Highly recommended if you’re into growth
Sections
4
Creative Foundations
Idea Generation & Innovation
Mindset & Flow
Practical Expression & Growth
Creative Foundations
Books that ground you in the mindset and habits of being creative every day
I recommend this because the routines inside, like morning pages, actually help break creative blocks and build a flow that feels natural
The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron
This is one I always share because it teaches you not to wait for “original genius” — but to remix, draw from others, and still create something uniquely yours
Steal Like an Artist - Austin Kleon
I recommend this because it’s about practice. Creativity isn’t magic — it’s routine, and this book helps you build habits that keep ideas coming
The Creative Habit - Twyla Tharp
I like this book for breaking perfectionism. It reminds me that being authentic and open makes creative work better, not worse
The Gifts of Imperfection - Brené Brown
Idea Generation & Innovation
These are the books I trust for sparking new ideas and teaching me how creativity works in action
I like this one because it’s not abstract theory — it gives me practical ways to make ideas more memorable and turn sparks of thought into real output
Creativity at Work - Ros Taylor
This is a fun one to recommend. It’s full of idea-generation exercises that I actually use for projects and brainstorming
Thinkertoys - Michael Michalko
I recommend this because it shows you how environments spark innovation. It makes you see patterns in creativity, which helps when planning big
Where Good Ideas Come From - Steven Johnson
This is short but powerful. I recommend it because it gives me a step-by-step way to spark ideas instead of waiting for inspiration
A Technique for Producing Ideas - James Webb Young
I like this one because it’s one of the roots of brainstorming. It teaches structured creativity, which I find useful when I need fresh angles fast
Applied Imagination - Alex F. Osborn
Mindset & Flow
Sometimes the biggest block is mental. These help me fight resistance, perfectionism, and find that creative flow
I like how this book explains why creativity is so important in learning and work. It makes you want to think beyond what’s just in front of you
Out of Our Minds - Ken Robinson
This one pushes me to fight procrastination. It feels like having someone tell you to get serious with your work without killing the fun of creating
The War of Art - Steven Pressfield
This is deeper, but I recommend it because it explains “flow.” It helps me understand how to stay in that zone where work feels natural and ideas just happen
Creativity: Flow and Psychology of Discovery and Invention - Mihalyi
Practical Expression & Growth
For me, these books focus on sharpening skills and turning creativity into results
Even if you’re not an artist, I like how it trains you to see differently. It sharpens how you observe, which is powerful for design, notes, and projects
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain - Betty Edwards
I personally like how this helps me set clear goals. Writing things down makes creative visions more real and less “just ideas.”
Write It Down, Make It Happen - Henriette Anne Klauser
I recommend this because it helps in group projects. You can look at a problem from six different angles — it’s practical and makes teamwork smoother
Six Thinking Hats - Edward de Bono