A shared list of inspirational books and magazines, by Laika: episode 2
Curiosity: Awaken your creative mind
Photo by Iñaki del Olmo on Unsplash
A new month: a new list! Creativity and learning opportunities come in many shapes and forms. As Communications professionals, we too are in an ongoing learning process, always seeking curious words and creative texts to improve and grow as writers, storytellers, and last but not least, as humans.
As we read and trade books among colleagues, we realized: wouldn't it be great if we could share our books, our sources of insights with our blog audience? That’s why we developed a series of themed articles, one for all the spring and summer months to come. So, in the second episode of this series, we selected 10 exciting books and magazines that can help to inspire you every day. Where better to start than at the core values of Laika which are respect, curiosity, commitment, and humor.
This month we based our shared book list on Laika’s second value: curiosity. All of the books we compiled and their writers are unique, original thinkers.
Reading about curiosity is a great way to inspire yourself, learn about what others have done in your field, and motivate yourself to do your best work.
So, we hope these books can help unlock and boost your creative, curious thinking. Ready, set, go!
Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told Me About the Creative Life - Austin Kleon
At Laika, we believe that creativity is hidden in all of us, just like curiosity. Aside from containing 10 inspiring tips for people working in the arts, it is truly insightful for anyone, who wants to add more creativity to their life, work, ideas…
Do Disrupt – Change the status quo or become it - Mark Shayler
This workbook (you can scribble and draw your thoughts in it) is a real page-turner! Shayler insists: it's about thinking big. Being innovative. Making a difference. The book is a guide for people who have a creative spark inside of them, and it is filled with inspirational pages and honest advice. It’s the kind of book that both takes your breath away and motivates you!
Lagom Magazine
This magazine is a celebration of innovation and creativity: it is all about people making a living from their passions. The bi-annual magazine features those who balance their everyday and professional lives. If you are looking for inspiration and motivation, Lagom magazine is a must-have on your bookshelf! At Laika, we are all for creativity and innovation, we communicate the ideas and companies of tomorrow, which is why this magazine is so inspiring!
An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything - Chris Austin Hadfield
If you want to get inside the head of a modern astronaut, this book by Chris Hadfield, who flew twice on the space shuttle and commanded the International Space Station is perfect! Also, his problem-solving approach sets a good example to become a better person.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind - Yuval Noah Harari
A very interesting and illuminating book mixing history and science about today’s society. Featuring photographs, maps, and diagrams, this very thorough and insightful piece is essential to understand the world we live in.
Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends On It - Ian Leslie
In this book, Ian Leslie focuses on how curiosity, while sometimes more present in certain people, is a trait that needs to be nurtured in order to exist. He classifies curiosity and deepens his analysis by tackling puzzles and mysteries, showing us how mysteries are essential to life. Want to dive deeper into curiosity and how it drives our lives? This book is for you.
Creative Theories of (Just About) Everything: A Journey into Origins and Imaginations - Jeroen Lutters and Ina Meijer
According to the writers, creativity is the most important skill to have in the 21st century. With a curious mindset, the writers seek to explore the true nature of a creative mind. This book brings insights on the creativity of great thinkers such as Spinoza to the forefront and highlights the importance of creativity. A smart, daring, and kind, beautifully designed book, that serves as a great source of inspiration for everyone!
Think Like Da Vinci - Michael Gelb
Apart from being an artist, Leonardo Da Vinci was an engineer, inventor, mathematician, and architect to name a few.
Da Vinci attributed his creative mind to seven principles that he lived his life by, and this book examines each of those principles to help you boost your own genius through a series of practical tasks. How about stimulating your mind and becoming a creative genius?
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions - Thomas S. Kuhn
A true must-read! This book explains that science is not based on immutable laws. It will definitely have a lasting effect on you and raise a lot of questions and is a wonderful book to awaken your curiosity.
Creativity, Inc. – Ed Catmull
Catmull, head of Pixar, worked on Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Up. Catmull created the software that’s behind the movies we know and love and Creativity, Inc. focuses on how Pixar manages creativity and allows its designers, programmers, writers, and animators to perform to the highest standards. This insightful book lets us take part in the creative process of innovative and brilliant minds.
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming episodes, released every month. You can also read the previous episode here!
And because reading is an activity that tends to be solitary: feel free to share this list with some friends!