The books that gave me the courage to write

Hello darlings! 

My dear friend recently asked me to share what books have shaped me as a creative, and since it was a complete joy to revisit these favorites, I thought I’d share my list with you, too. 

Most of these titles made subtle shifts in how I see the world, how I believe in myself, and how I fell in love with my instincts all over again. You may notice a little overlap in the authors I mentioned in Calling It Off, but there are also some new ones that still linger in my mind.

So, if you’re an aspiring creative of any kind, but especially a writer, here’s my short list and a gentle nudge towards some self-explorations. 

1. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Co-founder of Def Jam and producer of hits across any genre you can think of, this book is a call to live a creative life, no matter who you are in your day job. I loved being able to pick it up for five minutes before bed, or take a deep dive on a slow Sunday afternoon; either way works for this one.

“All that matters is that you are making something you love, to the best of your ability, here and now.” ― Rick Rubin

2. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

You know and love her for Eat Pray Love, but Big Magic is beloved in writers’ workshops far and wide. This one even helped me find my own courage to write. Gilbert doesn’t ignore the fear; she welcomes it into the creative process and acknowledges that fear should never stop us. Without it, I may never have finished Calling It Off.

“Anyhow, what else are you going to do with your time here on Earth—not make things? Not do interesting stuff? Not follow your love and your curiosity?” — Elizabeth Gilbert

3. The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday 

It's not classically associated with creative pursuits, but I’m grateful for the mindset shift it helped me cultivate. Moving from reactivity to more thoughtful processing, and internalizing those things that I actually have agency over brought a quiet confidence that I still try to strengthen each day. This conscious shift has genuinely impacted so many aspects of my life. Creativity, parenting, career, personal relationships, and the relationship to self. You name it, the Stoics had thoughts, and Holiday explains them in the most approachable and entertaining way. 

“What we desire makes us vulnerable.” ― Ryan Holiday, The Daily Stoic

4. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown

Another classic that many of you may have already read, but the illuminating reframe for all of my perfectionists out there made it worth mentioning. In short, it taught me to let go of what others think and embrace imperfection, whether in my creative pursuits or in the journey to be the best mom I can be. It’s even led me to share things publicly that I never dared to before. 

“Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.” ― Brené Brown

5. Every Single Title by Malcolm Gladwell 

He’s written too many impactful titles to name and I could make an entire list of what his brilliant books have taught me! If you’re new to his work, start with Outliers, it’s my personal favorite. The incredible way he weaves narrative with research and perspective-shifting insight is truly mind-blowing. His podcast, Revisionist History, is also worth a listen if you want to try before you buy. 

“Good writing does not succeed or fail on the strength of its ability to persuade. It succeeds or fails on the strength of its ability to engage you, to make you think, to give you a glimpse into someone else's head.” ― Malcolm Gladwell, What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures

6. The Pivot Year: 365 Days to Become the Person You Truly Want to Be by Brianna Wiest

Admittedly, this may be too woo-woo for some of you, as it centers strongly around manifesting. Regardless, it is here because we can all use more kind internal monologues in our lives. If you haven’t found yours yet, listen to this on audiobook. I preferred reading it for some grounding inspiration just before my daily journaling time, but even if you just need something to listen to while running, this is a good one. 

“What feels on the surface like rejection is often redirection. When you ask for a big life, you cannot keep fighting for a smaller one to stay.” — Brianna Wiest

7 . Choose Your Own Adventure: A Memoir That Left You Shook 

This obviously is not a specific title. It’s a category and a further push out of your comfort zone. 

Read memoirs that make you uncomfortable or see life through a whole new lens. Someone who thinks, prays, or lives completely differently from you. Someone whose words can sweep you away into something else entirely. Their story may not be the same as yours, but it can shape how you tell yours in far more meaningful ways than any echo-chamber ever could. 

“You cannot act upon what you cannot see. And we are plagued by dead language and dead stories that serve people whose aim is nothing short of a dead world. And it is not enough to stand against these dissemblers. There has to be something in you, something that hungers for clarity. And you will need that hunger, because if you follow that path, soon enough you will find yourself confronting not just their myths, not just their stories, but your own.” ― Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Message

Before I could write my own story, I had to believe that my perspective mattered. These books, and many others, helped me borrow that courage until I could generate my own.

I've since moved on from the memoir and continue sharing my voice here in this blog and on podcasts, Reddit, FoodFamilyTravel.com, and other pockets of the internet.

Check out my latest article "Redefining The Holidays With A Grand Cayman Getaway" and let me know what you think? 

With much love, 

Katherine

PS Here's the list on GoodReads:

• The Creative Act: A Way of Being
• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear 
• The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living 
• The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are 
  
• Anything by Malcolm Gladwell
• The Pivot Year: 365 Days to Become the Person You Truly Want to Be