Summer Reading List for Creative Minds (2023)
Summer is a season of fun and exploration. Spark creativity with this summer reading list for creative minds (2023).
How do you spark and support creativity in the summer? There are many summer habits to choose from that boost creativity, including reading which is an essential creative habit to practice year-round. This summer, as you’re relaxing outside, traveling, or just wanting a good book to curl up with, add some of these creative books to your 2023 summer reading list. These summer books cover different areas of creative living, work, and more to support the creative mind.
Find more creative book recommendations and reading lists here.
June
Goodreads Rating: Not Yet Rated
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wisconsin: How America’s Most Famous Architect Found Inspiration in His Home State by Kristine Hansen dives into the creative and inspiring connections between Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s most renowned architect, and his home state of Wisconsin.
Start your 2023 summer reading list with a fascinating and inspiring journey through Wright’s most significant architectural achievements in Wisconsin, from his early career to his later masterpieces. Discover in-depth analysis and captivating anecdotes, shedding light on Wright’s design philosophy, his creative process, and the societal impact of his architectural vision.
Goodreads Rating: Not Yet Rated
Sparking Creativity: How Play and Humor Fuel Innovation and Design by Barry Kudrowitz explores the powerful role of humor and play in fostering creativity and innovation.
Start your summer by sparking creativity through play and laughter with this fun and creative book to support the creative process and lead to breakthrough ideas. Using engaging anecdotes, practical exercises, and real-life case studies, Barry Kudrowitz guides readers on a journey to unlock their creative potential through humor to improve problem-solving, divergent thinking, collaboration, and more.
Goodreads Rating: 3.86
Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page is the perfect creative book to start pride month with. In this candid memoir, Page courageously shares their experiences, from their early days in Canada’s film industry to their rise to international fame, activism, and self-discovery.
Through a powerful and deeply personal account, learn about the creative life of Elliot Page, offering insights into the entertainment industry, activism, and the complexities of navigating personal relationships and public scrutiny.
Pageboy is a remarkable testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of authenticity. Elliot Page offers an intimate exploration of their gender identity, coming out as transgender, and the profound impact it has had on their life, creativity, and career.
Goodreads Rating: 3.9
A Therapeutic Atlas: Destinations to Inspire and Enchant by The School of Life is the perfect book for creative travelers to add to their 2023 summer reading list.
Discover a unique and creative perspective on travel and its potential for personal growth and self-discovery. Throughout history, creatives have traveled to inspire great pieces of art, fiction, and other form of creativity. Assembled by experts from the The School of Life, this atlas provides a curated collection of destinations worldwide, specifically chosen for their therapeutic qualities.
From awe-inspiring landscapes to culturally enriching experiences, the atlas showcases a diverse range of destinations that can inspire and enchant individuals on a therapeutic level.
Featured Artists Include: John Singer Sargent, Richard Misrach, David Hockney, Vincent van Gogh, Albert Bierstadt, and more.
Goodreads Rating: 4.25
Lady Caroline Lamb: A Free Spirit by Antonia Fraser is a captivating biography that delves into the extraordinary life of Lady Caroline Lamb, an iconic figure of the Regency era in Britain, whose scandalous love affair with Lord Byron overshadowed her own creativity and desire to break free from society’s constraints.
Written by acclaimed historian Antonia Fraser, this creative book paints a vivid portrait of the creative life and free-spirited nature of Lady Caroline. From her tumultuous affair with Lord Byron, one of the era’s most infamous poets, to her bold and unconventional behavior, Lady Caroline captivated and shocked society.
Through extensive research and engaging storytelling, Fraser offers a deep understanding of Lady Caroline’s motivations, desires, and the societal pressures she faced.
Goodreads Rating: 3.6
Mozart in Motion: His Work and His World in Pieces by Patrick Mackie is an immersive exploration of the creative life and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of history’s greatest composers, through transformative and poetic prose.
Mozart is one of the most familiar and beloved musical icons, but how much do we really understand his music, and what can it reveal about the great composer? Discover a unique perspective on Mozart’s work that follows Mozart from his adolescence to his early death. Explore major and lesser-known moments of the composer’s life and what led to extraordinary feats of musicianship.
Goodreads Rating: Not Yet Rated
Natural Light: The Art of Adam Elsheimer and the Dawn of Modern Science by Julian Bell is an inspiring exploration of early modern art and its relationship with nature, as reflected in the works of the artistic genius of Adam Elsheimer, a lesser-known 17th-century painter.
Drawing on meticulous research and analysis, learn how Elsheimer’s groundbreaking approach to capturing light in his painting would later inspire and influence other famous creative minds, including Rembrandt van Rijn, Claude Lorrain, and Nicolas Poussin. Explore his body of work and tragically short creative life in the context of a broader cultural and scientific era with the rise of empirical observation and the birth of modern science.
This summer book is a must-read for art enthusiasts, historians, and anyone interested in the fascinating intersection of art and scientific inquiry during the dawn of the modern era.
Goodreads Rating: Not Yet Rated
Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living by John Kaag and Jonathan van Belle is a spring reading list book that explores creative living from the perspective of the creative mind of Henry David Thoreau.
What can Thoreau teach us about working and how to make it more meaningful?
Henry at Work invites readers to rethink how we work today by exploring an aspect of Henry David Thoreau’s creative life that has often been overlooked, his creative working habits and philosophy.
Discover a philosophy of work that reflects on the different rhythms of the workday, the joys, and risks of resigning oneself to work, the dubious promises of labor-saving technology, remote work, and philosophical questions like, what kind of work do I really want to do and enjoy?
Goodreads Rating: 4.28
Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World by Christian Cooper is a book from the viral Central Park birder that shocked a nation and into a world of avian adventures, global excursions, and the unexpected lessons you can learn from a life spent looking up.
Equal parts memoir, travelogue, and primer on the art of birding, this book is perfect for a 2023 creative summer reading list that intertwines Cooper’s passion for birdwatching, experiences as a Black man in America, and a life of creativity. Learn how Cooper learned to claim and defend space for himself and others like him, from his days at Marvel Comics introducing the first gay storylines to vivid and life-changing birding expeditions through Africa, Australia, the Americas, and the Himalayas.
Better Living Through Birding celebrates the joy and wonder of birding while shedding light on the intersections of race, identity, and activism.
Goodreads Rating: 4.5
Thinking with Your Hands: The Surprising Science Behind How Gestures Shape Our Thoughts by Susan Goldin-Meadow is a thought-provoking exploration of the profound role that gestures play in our learning, communication, and self-expression.
We all know people who talk with their hands—but do they know what they’re saying with them? Our gestures can reveal and contradict us and express thoughts we may not even know we’re thinking. Learn how gestures reveal biases, mastering a concept in class, and more. Goldin-Meadow challenges conventional thinking and urges us to reconsider the significance of gestures in our lives.
Goodreads Rating: Not Yet Rated
Land Art: Creating Artworks in and with the Landscape by James Brunt is a visually stunning and inspiring exploration of the transformative power of art in the natural world.
Temporary natural arrangements have captivated people across the world. Learn how a professional artist creates these outdoor installations and how to create your own. From intricate patterns made with natural materials to ephemeral sculptures and installations, this book celebrates the beauty and ingenuity of land art. Perfect for artists, nature enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to appreciate the boundless possibilities of artistic expression in harmony with the landscape.
July
Goodreads Rating: Not Yet Rated
Create: At Home with Old & New by Ali Heath is a much-anticipated follow-up to Curate that invites readers to discover the art of blending old and new elements in home design to create stunning living spaces with an emphasis on personal style and creative expression.
In Create, interior stylist and journalist Ali Heath teaches you how to develop your eye and imagination for interior design using old and new elements to support individuality, sustainability, and creative expression.
Through stunning visuals and expert advice, this book offers practical tips and creative ideas for creating unique and harmonious interiors that reflect personal taste and character. Whether you are a design enthusiast or simply looking for inspiration to transform your living space, “Create” is a must-read that celebrates the beauty of combining old and new in home decor.
Discover more creative interior design tips and how to create a creative workspace.
Goodreads Rating: 4.22
How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft, Practice, and Skill by Jericho Brown and Darlene Taylor is an enlightening anthology that brings together a diverse collection of voices from the Black writing community to provide invaluable insights into the creative process, offering a deep exploration of the craft, practice, and skill of writing.
Featuring more than 30 acclaimed writers—including creative writers such as Nikki Giovanni, David Omotosho Black, Natasha Trethewey, Barry Jenkins, Jacqueline Woodson, Tayari Jones, and Angela Flournoy. How We Do It is a testament to the resilience, talent, and skill of Black writers that offers direction to help Black artists establish their own creative practice while celebrating and widening the scope of the Black writer’s role in art, history, and culture.
Goodreads Rating: Not Yet Rated
Art Works: How Organizers and Artists Are Creating a Better World Together by Ken Grossinger is an inside look at the organizers and artists on the front lines of political mobilization and social change.
Explore a wide range of art forms and the powerful roles they play in social change and community engagement. Through compelling stories and firsthand accounts, Grossinger sheds light on the collaborative efforts between organizers and artists to address pressing social issues and create a more equitable world.
Learn how art can inspire empathy, foster connections, and drive social justice movements. From grassroots initiatives to large-scale projects, Art Works reveals the transformative impact of art in communities around the world. This book is a valuable resource for artists, activists, community leaders, and anyone interested in the intersection of art and social change.
Goodreads Rating: 5.0
Contradiction Days: An Artist on the Verge of Motherhood by JoAnna Novak is a captivating memoir to read this summer that delves into the complexities of identity, creativity, and impending motherhood.
In this book, Novak, an artist, embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she grapples with a creative block and the challenges of balancing her artistic aspirations with the imminent arrival of a child. Through introspective prose, Novak explores the contradictions and uncertainties that arise when faced with the traditional roles of motherhood while pursuing a creative path.
When faced with depression and an unhelpful doctor, Novak instead turns to the enigmatic abstract expressionist painter Agnes Martin for guidance, adopting the artist’s doctrine of joyful solitude and isolation. Novak’s memoir serves as a testament to the power of introspection, self-acceptance, and the transformative journey of becoming a mother while nurturing one’s artistic spirit.
August
Goodreads Rating: 4.83
The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough by Thomas Curran is a thought-provoking book that challenges society’s obsession with perfection and encourages readers to embrace the concept of “good enough.”
Creatives know this problem all too well, with burnout and depression rising in the workplace and other fields. Curran delves into the specific challenges and pressures that perfectionism can impose on creatives. Drawing on extensive research and personal anecdotes, learn how to have a more balanced and fulfilling life.
The Perfection Trap serves as a powerful reminder that striving for perfection can be an unattainable and unhealthy goal. In place of an ever-moving treadmill, this book offers the relief of letting go to focus on what matters most to cultivate a healthier, more self-compassionate approach to life.
Goodreads Rating: 3.67
Creative Wanderlust: Unlock Your Artistic Potential Through Mixed-Media Art Journaling Techniques by Kasia Avery is an inspiring guidebook that invites readers to embark on a creative journey of self-expression through mixed-media art journaling.
Journaling has many creative and health benefits, and with so many different ways to journal, you can find what works best for you and supporting your creativity. In Creative Wanderlust, Avery shares her expertise and passion for artistic exploration, providing readers with a wealth of techniques and tips to embrace their artistic potential and step outside their comfort zones, empowering them to experiment, play, and freely express their thoughts and emotions.
Whether you are a seasoned artist and journaler or a beginner exploring your creative side, Creative Wanderlust provides a gateway to unlock your artistic potential and embark on a fulfilling artistic journey through the vibrant world of mixed-media art journaling. Bring your inner artist to life through art journaling and intuitive mixed media.
Goodreads Rating: Not Yet Rated
August Wilson: A Life by Patti Hartigan is the first authoritative biography of August Wilson, the most important and successful American playwright of the late 20th century.
Explore Wilson’s immense talent and unwavering dedication to capturing the African American experience through his powerful and resonant plays and the creative life behind the work. Written by a theater critic who knew him, this book explores a writer who left an indelible imprint on American theater and opened the door for future playwrights of color.
Using extensive research, interviews from friends, family, and August Wilson himself, Patti Hartigan provides valuable insights into the life of
a creative mind who sought to give voice to the voiceless. This book is a must-read for theater enthusiasts, fans of August Wilson’s work, and anyone interested in the intersection of art, culture, and social change.
Zach is an international writer, photographer, filmmaker, martial artist, and creator of Creative Enso, the Zen art of creative living. His goal is to empower and inspire creatives to live healthier, happier, and more creative lifestyles.
