When it comes to creativity, most students think it’s an innate skill — something you’re either born with or without.
But here’s the reality: creativity can be developed, refined, and fueled.
Having read several impactful books on creative thinking, I’ve found that the right book can spark new ideas, shift perspectives, and make the creative process feel both accessible and exciting.
If you’re looking to unlock your creative potential, these 11 books will give you the tools and insights you need to get started.
1. Creative Confidence by Tom Kelley and David Kelley
This book fundamentally changed how I think about creativity.
The Kelley brothers, founders of IDEO, argue that creativity isn’t just for “creative types” — it’s a skill everyone can cultivate.
Creative Confidence breaks down the barriers that often hold us back from thinking creatively, like fear of failure or self-doubt, and offers practical techniques for building confidence in your ideas.
Reading Creative Confidence felt like a wake-up call. It reminded me that creativity is accessible to all of us if we give ourselves permission to explore, experiment, and learn from mistakes.
For students, it’s especially helpful because it teaches that creativity is about process and persistence, not perfection.
Find Creative Confidence here.
2. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist is a refreshing, no-nonsense guide to developing creativity by embracing influence and originality in unexpected ways.
This book is based on the idea that no idea is truly “new” — creativity comes from combining, remixing, and building upon existing ideas.
Kleon encourages readers to actively draw inspiration from the world around them, transforming borrowed ideas into something uniquely their own.
I found Steal Like an Artist to be immensely freeing.
As students, we often worry about being entirely original, but Kleon reminds us that creativity is often collaborative, even if indirectly.
His approach taught me to stop stressing over creating something “perfectly new” and instead focus on how I could make an existing idea my own.
Find Steal Like an Artist here.
3. Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko
Thinkertoys is like a toolkit for creativity, filled with exercises, thought experiments, and methods for solving problems in creative ways.
Michalko presents practical techniques, such as mind mapping and reverse thinking, to help you tackle challenges from new perspectives.
Each chapter covers a different “thinker toy,” or tool, for generating ideas, making it easy to pick up and apply these strategies.
When I first read Thinkertoys, I was amazed at how a structured approach could actually enhance creative thinking.
For those who want actionable steps for generating ideas, this book is perfect. It’s taught me to approach challenges systematically while still allowing room for unexpected discoveries.
4. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Still, we should all realize that creativity isn’t always fun and games.
Instead, it often involves battling self-doubt, procrastination, and resistance.
In The War of Art, Pressfield confronts these inner obstacles with direct, motivational advice that’s both honest and inspiring.
He explores the psychological blocks that keep us from doing creative work and offers strategies for overcoming them, emphasizing that persistence is key.
I can’t count the times I’ve returned to this book for a dose of motivation.
And if you’re juggling assignments and deadlines like me, The War of Art is an eye-opener.
It taught me that feeling stuck or resistant is a natural part of the creative process — and that pushing through is often what leads to breakthrough moments.
5. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
If you’re looking to develop a creative routine that feels more like self-discovery, The Artist’s Way is a fantastic guide.
Cameron’s book is designed as a 12-week course that helps readers uncover their creative potential through exercises like “morning pages” (daily writing) and weekly “artist dates.”
These techniques encourage introspection and creativity in a gentle, reflective way.
Reading The Artist’s Way helped me recognize that creativity is a practice — it’s something that deepens with consistent effort.
I believe this book is ideal for students because of one reason:
It fosters a sustainable approach to creativity.
Rather than a quick fix, Cameron’s methods offer a lifelong way to stay connected to your creative self.
6. A Whack on the Side of the Head by Roger von Oech
Von Oech’s A Whack on the Side of the Head is a classic in the world of creative thinking.
It’s full of unconventional ideas and exercises to challenge your brain to think differently.
The book introduces “mental whacks”—activities designed to push you out of familiar thinking patterns.
Von Oech explores ideas like “reversing assumptions” and “looking at the other side,” encouraging you to see problems from fresh angles.
This book showed me that creative thinking often means embracing the unexpected.
So, if you feel stuck in routine ways of thinking, A Whack on the Side of the Head is a fantastic way to shake things up.
It can teach you to welcome “mistakes” and turn them into opportunities to explore new possibilities.
Find A Whack on the Side of the Head here.
7. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
What if the creative process could feel like a dance rather than a struggle?
In Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert invites readers to look at creativity with a sense of wonder and playfulness.
She explores themes like curiosity, courage, and letting go of perfectionism, revealing how to make creativity a natural and joyful part of life.
Reading Big Magic was like a breath of fresh air for me. It helped me see that creative projects don’t have to be perfect — or even “successful” — to be meaningful.
Gilbert’s book is a fantastic reminder that creativity is more about the journey than the result.
8. How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb
Ever wonder how one of history’s greatest minds approached creativity?
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci explores seven principles inspired by da Vinci’s life, like “Curiosità” (insatiable curiosity) and “Arte/Scienza” (balancing art and science).
Each principle is a reminder that creativity doesn’t happen in isolation — it’s a blend of exploration, experimentation, and learning.
This book completely transformed how I approach learning.
Gelb’s principles encourage thinking broadly and connecting seemingly unrelated ideas.
And isn’t that what creativity is all about?
I found that applying even one of da Vinci’s principles, like embracing curiosity, sparked a new level of interest and engagement in everything I did.
If you’re ready to deepen your approach to creative thinking, give this book a read.
Find How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci here.
9. Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant
Have you ever wondered how some people manage to create ideas that break boundaries?
Adam Grant’s Originals dives deep into what it takes to challenge norms and create original ideas.
Grant explores how innovators, from entrepreneurs to activists, develop their ideas and overcome fear to put them out into the world.
I was drawn to Originals because it tackles the reality of fear—something all of us face in creative work.
This book reassured me that uncertainty and hesitation are part of the process, not signs of failure. Grant’s insights helped me reframe self-doubt as a natural step toward creating something meaningful.
If you’re looking to shake up your thinking and build the courage to share your ideas, this book is a must-read.
10. Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
How often do you let others see your work in progress?
In Show Your Work!, Austin Kleon advocates for sharing your creative journey, not just the polished final product.
Kleon argues that letting people see the process behind your work can build stronger connections and generate valuable feedback.
For me, Show Your Work! helped shift my mindset about sharing ideas publicly. Instead of waiting for everything to be “perfect,” I started sharing my drafts and thoughts with my peers.
Surprisingly, the process sparked new ideas and made my projects stronger.
It’s a reminder that creativity is often better when it’s collaborative and transparent.
Curious to see how sharing your journey can fuel your creativity? This book is a great guide.
11. The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
And now, let me ask you one last question:
Do you think creativity is only for the “naturally gifted”?
Well, Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit might change your mind.
Tharp, a celebrated choreographer, insists that creativity is a habit anyone can build with discipline and consistency. Her book is packed with exercises that push you to step out of your comfort zone and explore new ideas with structure.
What surprised me most was how practical Tharp’s approach is — she doesn’t leave room for excuses.
Her exercises are concrete, and actionable, and show that creativity can be cultivated like any other skill.
Whenever I find myself waiting for inspiration, I remember her advice: don’t wait, start moving. If you’re someone who struggles with procrastination, Tharp’s advice could be just what you need.
Final thoughts: Choosing the book that speaks to you
Creativity is a skill you can grow, and each of these books has shaped my own journey in different ways.
They’ve shown me that creative thinking isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being curious, open, and willing to try new approaches.
Whether you’re looking to build confidence, develop new ideas, or create a sustainable creative habit, these books offer powerful insights and tools to get you started.
Ready to ignite your creativity?
Start with the book that resonates with you, dive into its pages, and let it transform how you think. After all, creativity is a journey — these books are just the beginning.