Books for Creatives

A Glorious Freedom by Lisa Congdon

I must admit, so far I have only read the first essay in this book. It’s by Caroline Paul and it’s about how at age 50, she taught herself how to surf. When reading this chapter, I was about to embark on SCUBA lessons. I was a little nervous. But seeing Caroline’s courage and hearing her story solidified a courage in me. Ideally I would read the whole book and get more inspiration, right? But sometimes a class or a book or a lecture gives us just one tiny spark that ignites a massive change.

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

I loved this book. It almost changed my life when I finished it and thought, I want to facilitate these kinds of experiences Priya describes. Then I realized I don’t need to change my career to host more illuminating and connective events. This book will spark hope for humanity in you. Highly recommended for changing the world one gathering at a time.

It’s Not Your Money by Tosha Silver

I’ve been reading Tosha’s books for a couple of years now. Her basic premise is that if we turn ourselves and our actions over to the Divine, Love, God, whatever you call it, life will lead you to unexpected but wonderful places. She leads an online community and brought her teachings into this book. I loved the Abundance Prayer, which I wrote and illustrated in my sketchbook. I also love the idea of decluttering as an early step in the abundance-building process. I want to re-read this book and practice letting go of control sometimes.

A Beautiful Morning by Ashley Ellington Brown

Morning routines are popular these days, and advice on the sometimes daunting routines we should be doing just make some of us want to burrow deeper into the comfort zone of our bed. Ashley pulls together interviews with a range of women to show a variety of ways we can start our days with intention. It’s a gentle way to see possibilities and choose for ourselves what serves our mornings. Full disclosure: I am featured in the book and am honored to have coached Ashley across the finish line with this book.

Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein and Julie Chai

Sometimes there’s a hobby lurking in you that you didn’t even know was there. Last year, shopping for mother’s day on the Chronicle Books web site, I found this book. I knew right away I needed to own it. When it came, I breathlessly paged through it and over the year have been studying and following their flower cultivation advice. I have a long way to go but I don’t care. The joy of seeing flowers grow and bringing home adorable bouquets is immeasurable. This book truly changed my life and I look forward to seeing my flower hobby grow.

It’s Not You: 27 (Wrong) Reasons You’re Single by Sara Eckel

I was single for seven long, painful years before I met Steve. And I did all the things one suggests a single person do to connect. Let me tell you, it was frustrating and even depressing. Finally I found this book that helped frame the whole relationship quest in a new way. Highly recommended for anyone who is single and at the end of their rope.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

I just loved this book about a therapist, her patients, and her own mental health journey. It almost makes me want to change careers and become a therapist! Reading stories about the struggles her clients face allowed me to see my own challenges in new ways.

Overcoming Underearning by Barbara Stanny

There’s nothing that will change your world more than getting your financial act together. Not just the surface stuff like staying solvent. The underside of our financial selves is also driving our actions. Our history, emotions, thoughts and beliefs all contribute to our financial well-being. Barbara Stanny’s books are among the first I recommend for those ready to get financially fit. Secrets of Six-Figure Women is inspiring, and Overcoming Underearning is a practical guide to work through all this stuff. Change your money, change your world.

Feast Your Eyes by Myla Goldberg

I am a Myla Goldberg fan, so when I saw this at the library, I had to get it. It’s the story of a female photographer when photography was just being born in the ‘50s. Another great story about the creative life and what it costs women to be artists.

I knew right away that this book was unlike anything I have ever seen. I love Elle Luna’s first book, The Crossroads of Should and Must.

Your Story Is Your Power is co-written with Susie Herrick, a psychotherapist and trainer. It offers a whole new way to look at our stories, the ones we are aware of and the ones that are culturally embedded in us.

This book promises to help us see, feel and act in new and empowering ways. I think we need that, yes? Gorgeous, unique and powerful, this book changed the way I see my life and the way I interact with others.

Shark Dialogues by Kiana Davenport

Another book I have read several times and hosted book groups around. It’s the story of Hawaii and its multi-cultural heritage. Of how the US government robbed the Queen of Hawaii of her throne and annexed the islands as states. It’s the story of a grandmother, her four daughters and their four daughters. The magic and history that binds them is greater than the multi-ethnicity that could divide them. Beautifully written and both moving and tragic, this is such a wonderful novel. After reading it, I didn’t think I could ever go to Hawaii as a white person. I finally did last year, and definitely felt the force of nature that rules these islands. This book changed my world by revealing the harsh and tragic truth of this US state.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

You may have seen the television series based on Diana Gabaldon’s books. I read the first four books in the early 00s and just loved them. Such great characters and compelling stories. Gabaldon has done extensive research on Scottish history and is a fantastic writer. But the reason this book changed my world is because it is a genre-bender. Gabaldon struggled to find a publisher because the book crosses the lines of science fiction, fantasy, romance and historical fiction. Well, she finally succeeded and not only is the series a runway bestseller, it’s an extremely popular TV series and the audio books are bestsellers as well. If you are a writer whose book defies genres, take heart! And read these books; they’re fantastic.