Inspiration

Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert (Creativity/Inspirational)

This book is a must-read for anyone who’s ever done or has aspired to do creative work of any kind. It doesn’t matter what kind: writing, painting, dance, drawing, snow-shoe making, bull-horn painting—whatever—this book applies.  Gilbert talks about inspiration—what we should expect from it, and what we shouldn’t. She digs deep into the creative process and exposes it in a completely astonishing, no frills light. She talks about fear and how it smothers any creative spark instantly. How fear is so tricky it dresses itself up in high heel shoes and changes its name to perfectionism. Whether you’ve wanted to do creative work but have thought of all the reasons why you can’t, or you’ve been doing creative work and want to be inspired by an exciting new discussion, I highly recommend this read.
  
  

Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah (Memoir)

Born A Crime is one of the best memoirs I’ve read. Growing up a mixed-race kid in South Africa under apartheid, Trevor Noah’s light skin was not only illegal, but was proof of his mother’s rebellious spirit. From the moment he's born, Noah’s skin color sets him on a life path different from the majority of South Africans—from his own grandmother who won’t discipline him because she’s afraid of hitting a white child, to the day he and his mother have to jump out of a moving car to save their lives, you won’t be able to put this memoir down. It’s laugh out loud funny, chilling, and jaw-dropping. If you’re a fan of audio books, this is an excellent choice as Noah himself narrates the book and does a phenomenal job.
  
  

The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck, by Mark Manson (Self-Help/Motivation/inspiration)

Contrary to what his title states, Manson’s book is actually about giving a f*ck in your life. The trick is learning to identify the few things in your life you should care about, and applying your focus and attention to only those things. Despite the heavy profanity at the beginning (and it does die down as the writing progresses), Manson’s book is full of thought-provoking, funny little gems that offer a slight shift in perspective, allowing one to think about the quality of one’s own life differently. Some of my favorite tidbits include the discussion of “fault” versus “responsibility,” the role and relativity of values in our lives, and the story of Japanese soldier Onoda who held out in the Philippine jungle beginning in WW2 until 1972.
  
  

Love Poems From God, Translated by Daniel Ladinsky (Poetry)

If I had to walk around with one book in my hand meant to uplift and inspire on a moment’s notice, it would be this one. Although I don’t regularly read poetry, something about this book feels different. Ladinsky compiled and translated works by poets who lived between the years 717-1649, including Rabia, St. Francis of Assisi, Rumi, Meister Eckhart, St. Thomas Aquinas, Hafiz, St Catherine of Siena, Kabir, Mira, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and Tukaram.

Here are two sample excerpts, written by Rabia of Basra (c. 717-801) :

Since no one really knows anything about God,

those who think they do are just

troublemakers.

and

I once was a sleeping ocean

and in a dream became

jealous of a

pond.