Books for Creatives

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.

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

When I worked at the bookstore, we sold this book with the pitch that it was ‘Jesuits in space’. I have read this more than once and hosted a couple of book group discussions around it. Wrenching and unforgettable, The Sparrow takes us inside a Jesuit mission to space that goes horribly wrong. Touching on themes of ethics, interspecies communication and the role religion and faith play in exploration, this is a must-read.

Summer reading time! I love reading novels and mostly read them at bed time. They help me turn off my thinking mind and slip into another world. But summer gives me the chance to kick back and chill on a blanket in the park.

As a girl, I was kinda obsessed with World War II. I just couldn’t understand how all that terrible stuff could happen, right in the heart of Germany, with people just standing by and allowing it all to transpire. Reading Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi gave me answers to that question. A heartbreaking book filled with touching characters, this novel set before, during and after WWII gives a window into the world of the everyday person living in a small German town.

The Creative Entrepreneur by Lisa Beam

This was one of the first business planning books I got that showed a multi-media, multi-faceted approach to business planning. Who says it has to be all spreadsheets and dry documents? My friend Lisa brought many parts of herself together to write this book – designer, business maven, artist and community builder all bring wisdom to the page. It’s a visual treat and packed with guidance on how to plan and execute your business dreams.