Reading List

November 10, 2024

Education is one of the greatest gifts we have. Wherever we start from in life, education can open doors we may have never imagined otherwise. I don't just mean formal education in schools. While school is also wonderful, onnce we learn to read, all of us have the opportunity to seek knowledge for ourselves.

The new world of technology offers us endless sources of information, from online written publications to videos, audio books and online courses, but my favorite way to learn will almost always be from traditional printed books.

I understand everyone learns in different ways, but for me, there is something special to me about real books. There is something visceral and rewarding about turning a page, completing a chapter or a whole book and looking at it like a trophy of accomplishment. I take notes in certain circumstances, or I will circle and underline certain passages that I identify with.

I learn and I grow and I explore the world differently with the knowledge gained from the books I have read. The process of reading certain texts has completely transformed my understanding of reality in general. I am a better person, and artist, because of the things I have learned by reading so I encourage people to read real books as often as possible.

I personally like to go to a real bookstore and wander through my preferred aisles to see what I may find. But for those of you who are living a busy life and looking for quick tools and someone to point them in the right direction, I got you.

I am a big fan of Barnes & Noble. They typically have most books available at a reasonable price so you can click on my affiliate banner/link to find any book you are looking for. You can check out the list below of my specific suggestions for artists participating in my 30 Day Challenge.

During the ARTworkaholic 30 Day Challenge I will certainly reference many of these books which have taught, inspired or motivated me to take action over the years. I will help you get a taste of the knowledge I have gained during the challenge, but only so much can be taught in a daily lesson compared to submerging yourself with a fully developed text.

I may earn a small commission off any sales generated by you clicking on these links, but that is far from the reason I want to share these books. I want to share this knowledge so you can evolve as an artist, an entrepreneur or just as something to help you in becoming a more creative human.

I encourage everyone interested in creativity and productivity on any level consider buying these books and going through them independently, or with me as your coach. My style of coaching is a great option if your desire more understanding and accountability than you can provide for yourself without the restriction of formal education settings. You could even start a book club with your artsy friends or share about the things you learn on social media to get feedback.

However you want to explore and use this information in your life, I am certain it will only do you more good than harm. And for those of you who think you don't have time to read... check your screen time on your phone or even just think about the amount of time you may spend scrolling on social media or checking out into a netflix series. The truth is, you can have the time for anything you want to do, if you are willing to MAKE the time for it.

Now check out these books and enjoy the process!

by Betty Edwards