Creative Audiobooks for 2021
Following on from Creative Podcasts in 2021 and the first Audiobooks for Creativity in 2020.
Here are 5 more creativity-themed audiobooks. Listening times rounded to the nearest half hour!
These are available in dead tree formats too. I haven't linked to the Audiobooks as I don't know your preferred platform or country. Hopefully you do!
[Cover image by Lee Campbell on Unsplash]
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Playing time: 5 hours
"Creative Living Beyond Fear"
Well known in creative circles, Elizabeth uses stories from her own life and others. She talks about the importance of curiosity, tackling our greatest fears and embracing what we love. Because that's when Big Magic happens! :)
It's also part of the magic of being handed wisdom down by someone who's had a full creative life.
The Steal Like an Artist Audio Trilogy by Austin Kleon
Playing time: 4 1/2 hours (for all 3)
"How to be creative, show your work and keep going"
This is a trilogy of three titles which together talk about finding your way as a creative. Has a direct, straightforward style.
Steal Like an Artist talks about remixing and reworking works of others to make your own thing
Show Your Work goes into how to put yourself out there and getting involved in communities
Keep Going talks more of how to be creative in the long term, getting things done instead of worrying about how they'll be received.
Rising Strong by Brené Brown
Playing time: 9 hours
"How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead"
This is a heavier work than the others. It talks about vulnerability and how to come back from our falls and failures. Coming to terms with our disappointments and struggles and using them to create something better.
I found it useful in creative (and other) endeavours.
In Praise of Shadows by Jun'ichiro Tanizaki
Playing time: 1 1/2 hours
"Were it not for shadows there would be no beauty"
Originally from the 1930's Japan, it talks about beauty from a standpoint of old Japanese aesthetics. It goes into the shades caused by the existence and then absense of light.
It's a window into an almost forgotten world, with a style from another place and time.
Beauty: The Invisible Embrace by John O'Donohue
Playing time: 5 1/2 hours
"Rediscovering the true sources of compassion, serenity and hope"
A more abstract work from an Irish poet that talks about the beauty in all things. About finding the beauty around us and looking at a world where seeking it comes into all aspects of life.
Finishing Up
What are the creative books and audiobooks that have inspired you in 2021?