Books Recommended by Kaci Lambe Kai
Read the interview: Kaci Lambe Kai
16 books recommended by Kaci Lambe Kai
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
I immediately thought of The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It was pivotal for me as an artist, a creative, and an entrepreneur, but it's not just for artists. It's a book about fear and how we limit ourselves. This book helped me unlock… Read the full quote
I immediately thought of The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It was pivotal for me as an artist, a creative, and an entrepreneur, but it's not just for artists. It's a book about fear and how we limit ourselves. This book helped me unlock my Resistance to perceived risk in business and in my career in a way nothing else had.
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
by Austin Kleon
I loved this book largely because it gave me permission to mix my influences into my own work. To steal without regret to create something new. I have a voice and it's valuable.
Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
by Steve Krug
These three books are about how people actually use design in their lives. They helped me understand this very basic idea: There are no dumb users, only bad designers. Take the time to create based on how your design will be interacted with. Test it. Iterate. That's how you become a good designer.
On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft
by Stephen King
These three books were very inspirational and broke down their way of creating in a way that was genuine and honest while still making me feel like I could be a writer.
The Prophet
I also really love The Prophet by Gibran. He's a phenomenal writer and poet.
Bird By Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
by Anne Lamott
These three books were very inspirational and broke down their way of creating in a way that was genuine and honest while still making me feel like I could be a writer.
Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers
by Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur
This was a great book, because it opened up the idea of what a business model is supposed to be vs what it can be. It doesn't have to be a stuffy, boring document.
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts
by Gary Chapman
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman impacted how I interpret and receive love. Not just romantically, but in my friendships and business relationships. I had several personal and professional relationships that improved when I could appreciate that their "love language" was different than mine.… Read the full quote
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman impacted how I interpret and receive love. Not just romantically, but in my friendships and business relationships. I had several personal and professional relationships that improved when I could appreciate that their "love language" was different than mine. I could at least see their efforts as an attempt at showing me love and kindness, even if it wasn't how I best receive or give love. This is pivotal. And if you can separate out the idea of it being for romantic partners only, I'd say this is critical reading for leaders. Not everyone is motivated and feels appreciation by a raise. Sometimes, public recognition of kind words or an act of kindness will feel better than anything else you can do.
Write. Publish. Repeat.: The No-Luck-Required Guide to Self-Publishing Success
by Sean Platt, Johnny B. Truant
On the same flight, I read Write. Publish. Repeat. by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant. They made it seem so easy to become an author and a creative. It's as easy as the title. Create a thing. Put it out into the world. Do… Read the full quote
On the same flight, I read Write. Publish. Repeat. by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant. They made it seem so easy to become an author and a creative. It's as easy as the title. Create a thing. Put it out into the world. Do it all over again. I got off that flight a changed human being. I knew I wanted to make my living as an independent creative in which I create works, release them, and obtain dollars to sustain myself on that creativity. In January, I'll publish my first book.
Half-light: Collected Poems 1965-2016
by Frank Bidart
I love poetry. I've been reading more and more of it from some great writers as I prepare to release my own poetry into the world.
Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence
by Rory Miller
I'm an avid martial artist and I'm currently training to become a Krav Maga instructor. I take this work very seriously and this is part of my studies in the world of self defense.
Tank Girl
by Alan C. Martin, Jamie Hewlett
This comic series is just a fun, light read. I love strong female lead characters who are deeply flawed and weird.
The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web
These three books are about how people actually use design in their lives. They helped me understand this very basic idea: There are no dumb users, only bad designers. Take the time to create based on how your design will be interacted with. Test it. Iterate. That's how you become a good designer.
The Giving Tree
I cry every time I read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. That story breaks my heart. I recently read it to my nephew (then five at the time) and I cried the whole time.
The Goldfinch
by Donna Tartt
More modern, I recently read The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and I love the way it was written. A great story brought to life with long, descriptive, sometimes frenetic sentences. She paints some scenes and some ideas that are unlike anything I've ever read. It's like watching magic on the page.
Similar reading lists
- Benjamin Spall (3 books in common)