13 Best Creative Thinking Books
We analyzed 5+ expert sources, curated book lists, and recommendations from successful people to find the 13 best creative thinking books according to the internet — not just one person's opinion. Each book on this list was mentioned by at least two independent sources, and the ranking is based on how frequently each title appears across all sources studied. This consensus-based approach ensures you get recommendations backed by multiple experts, not a single reviewer's bias.
Goal: Find the best Creative Thinking books according to the internet (not just one person's opinion).
Method:
- Search for "best creative thinking books" and study the top 5+ pages.
- Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
- Rank the results neatly here.
13 Best Creative Thinking Books
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The War of Art
Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Also recommended by
16 people
Joe Rogan recommended this bookJoe Rogan
"A great book about harnessing creativity." - Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan's recommendation of this book 
Lex Fridman recommended this bookLex Fridman
"Beautiful book." - Lex Fridman
Lex Fridman's recommendation of this book 
Aubrey Marcus recommended this bookAubrey Marcus
"One of the most influential books in my life." - Aubrey Marcus
Aubrey Marcus's recommendation of this book 
Ryan Holiday recommended this bookRyan Holiday
One of Ryan Holiday's 2 answers to "what book are you most likely to give out as a gift?"
Ryan Holiday's recommendation of this book 
Seth Godin recommended this bookSeth Godin
Seth Godin mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Seth Godin's recommendation of this book 
Brian Koppelman recommended this bookBrian Koppelman
"Talks about resistance." - Brian Koppelman
Brian Koppelman's recommendation of this book +10
More recommendations
- Marie Forleo
"The essential no-bullshit guide for anyone who battles self-doubt or struggles to bring any important project to life." - Marie Forleo
- Daniel Pink
"I have [a little sign] on my desk here that says, 'Beat the resistance.' So, I’ve given [this book] out a lot too." - Daniel Pink
- Derek Sivers
"Are you a writer who doesn’t write, a painter who doesn’t paint, an entrepreneur who never starts a venture? Then you know what “Resistance” is. This book is about that. Read it." - Derek Sivers
- Soman Chainani
"Half drill sergeant, half Zen voodoo master, [the author] shot me out of my stupor and taught me the meaning of creative discipline." - Soman Chainani
- Russell Moore
"About showing up and not waiting for inspiration to hit." - Russell Moore
- Jen Sincero
"Read this thing if you want to blast past your fears and insecurities and resistance to being your biggest, badassiest self." - Jen Sincero
- Jodie Cook
"This book is a sharp reality check for every artist. It will help you become unblocked, right now and possibly forever." - Jodie Cook
- Danny Miranda
"Odds of re-reading: close to 100%." - Danny Miranda
- James Clear
"[One of] the 10 best nonfiction books of all-time." - James Clear
- Michael Hyatt
Michael Hyatt recommended this book on his website.
- Marie Forleo
Flow
The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Also recommended by
3 people
Kishore Biyani recommended this bookKishore Biyani
"Taught me one of the best values in life — achieving a state of flow." - Kishore Biyani
Kishore Biyani's recommendation of this book 
Raoul Pal recommended this bookRaoul Pal
"A great book." - Raoul Pal
Raoul Pal's recommendation of this book 
Pavel Durov recommended this bookPavel Durov
Pavel Durov recommended this book in an interview.
Pavel Durov's recommendation of this book
Steal Like an Artist
10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
Also recommended by
1 person
Chase Jarvis recommended this bookChase Jarvis
"Super small, fast read." - Chase Jarvis
Chase Jarvis's recommendation of this book
The Creative Habit
Learn It and Use It for Life
Also recommended by
1 person
Jen Sincero recommended this bookJen Sincero
"As the title suggests, it’s all about creating good habits, which, if you do nothing else, will completely change your life for the better." - Jen Sincero
Jen Sincero's recommendation of this book
Creativity, Inc.
Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration
Also recommended by
8 people
Ezra Klein recommended this bookEzra Klein
"An amazing, amazing book." - Ezra Klein
Ezra Klein's recommendation of this book 
Mark Zuckerberg recommended this bookMark Zuckerberg
"I love reading first-hand accounts about how people build great companies like Pixar and nurture innovation and creativity." - Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg's recommendation of this book 
Jason Calacanis recommended this bookJason Calacanis
"Pixar has made some of the greatest stories of our time, but [the author]’s personal story, is perhaps the greatest story that has come out of Pixar." - Jason Calacanis
Jason Calacanis's recommendation of this book 
Demis Hassabis recommended this bookDemis Hassabis
"About Pixar." - Demis Hassabis
Demis Hassabis's recommendation of this book 
Alexis Ohanian recommended this bookAlexis Ohanian
"Must read." - Alexis Ohanian
Alexis Ohanian's recommendation of this book 
Michael Mauboussin recommended this bookMichael Mauboussin
"Best business book I've read in a long time." - Michael Mauboussin
Michael Mauboussin's recommendation of this book +2
More recommendations
- Patrick O'Shaughnessy
"One of the most entertaining and useful business books I’ve ever read." - Patrick O'Shaughnessy
- Trung Phan
"About the Animation industry." - Trung Phan
- Patrick O'Shaughnessy
Show Your Work!
10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered
Also recommended by
3 people
Derek Sivers recommended this bookDerek Sivers
Derek Sivers recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Derek Sivers's recommendation of this book - Chase Jarvis recommended this book
Chase Jarvis
Chase Jarvis mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Chase Jarvis's recommendation of this book 
Ali Abdaal recommended this bookAli Abdaal
"Completely changed the way I thought about sharing stuff online." - Ali Abdaal
Ali Abdaal's recommendation of this book
The Artist's Way
Morning Pages Journal
Also recommended by
3 people
Tim Ferriss recommended this bookTim Ferriss
"Nearly every morning, I sit down with a hot cocktail of turmeric, ginger, pu-erh tea, and green tea. Next, I crack open [this book]." - Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss's recommendation of this book - Brian Koppelman recommended this book
Brian Koppelman
"The closest thing to magic I’ve come across. That if you really do it every day in a real disciplined practice, something happens to your subconscious that allows you to get your most creative place." - Brian Koppelman
Brian Koppelman's recommendation of this book 
Russell Brand recommended this bookRussell Brand
"I love it. A practical, spiritual, nurturing book." - Russell Brand
Russell Brand's recommendation of this book
A Technique for Producing Ideas
A Simple Five Step Formula for Producing Ideas
Also recommended by
1 person
Patrick O'Shaughnessy recommended this bookPatrick O'Shaughnessy
"If you prefer fast reads and only want to read one of these books, this is the one for you." - Patrick O'Shaughnessy
Patrick O'Shaughnessy's recommendation of this book
It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be
Also recommended by
1 person
Casey Neistat recommended this bookCasey Neistat
"The reason why I gift [this book] is because you can read it in 40 minutes." - Casey Neistat
Casey Neistat's recommendation of this book
Lateral Thinking
Creativity Step by Step
Also recommended by
1 person- Patrick O'Shaughnessy recommended this book
Patrick O'Shaughnessy
"Refreshing and extremely helpful." - Patrick O'Shaughnessy
Patrick O'Shaughnessy's recommendation of this book
Making Ideas Happen
Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality
Also recommended by
1 person
Simon Sinek recommended this bookSimon Sinek
Simon Sinek recommended this book on Twitter.
Simon Sinek's recommendation of this book
Big Magic
Creative Living Beyond Fear
The Laws of Simplicity
Sources
- 1
The 10 best Books on Creativity (The essential list you must read)
shelleywalsh.com
- 2
12 Best Creativity Books For Your Library (2023)
becomeawritertoday.com
- 3
12 Best Books On Creativity You Should Read in 2023 - Creative Book
proactivecreative.com
- 4
Learn40 Books Unlock Creativity Start Lifes Best Work
canva.com
- 5
10 Must-Read Books on Creative Thinking - HatRabbits
hatrabbits.com
Edited by
Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.
Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.
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