Some Really Good Words

  • Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

    It’s only fitting that our Eat,Pray, Love mastermind, Liz Gilbert, would produce what is, in my opinion, one of the most soul-settling books on creativity. Link

  • Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

    Writing is hard and intimidating, and that never goes away––you just figure out how to deal with it. Anne Lamott brings humor and wisdom to our own insecurities. Link

  • The Night the Lights Went Out

    I owe a lot to the person who introduced me to Drew Magary’s sports columns. But neither he or I could’ve seen this one coming. Link

  • The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment's Notice

    There are only a handful of habits I’ve actually instilled from self-development books, but at least three of them are thanks to this book from Todd Henry. Link

  • McSweeney's Internet Tendency

    At the risk of sounding a million years old, I’m not sure enough of the next generation knows about McSweeney’s. Don’t take the internet too seriously! Link

  • The Song of Achilles

    I don’t finish reading as many novels as I’d like to, but this one left an impact unlike anything else in the past few years. Try not to get the quotes tattooed. Link

  • Lord of the Butterflies

    TikTok gave me a convincing sell on this, and they were right. This short book of Andrea Gibson’s poetry has many sticky notes and tear-stained pages on my shelf. Link

  • Dear Client: This Book Will Teach You How to Get What You Want from Creative People

    We owe a lot to Bonnie Siegler for creating an incredible reference for clients and creatives alike. It’s on my desk and shared weekly with teammates. Link

  • The Creative Act: A Way of Being

    I know, I know. But did you really think I’d leave Rick Rubin off this list? Be open, stay curious, and let ideas flow freely with some of his help. Link