📚 NXT LVL: Books to read this month
Especially if you're just getting started...
Just finished uni? Figuring out how to break into the creative industry? Feeling the pressure to have it all worked out by July?
This list is for you. It’s a mix of pep talks, personal essays, creative thinking, and honest advice- the kind of books that won’t just tell you how to work, but might help you figure out why you want to. Or at least make you feel a bit less alone while you figure it all out.
🧠 My Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open - Tanya Goodin
Overwhelmed, overstimulated and checking three group chats at once? Same. This one’s about digital burnout, attention overload and how to take back a bit of control, especially useful if you’re entering a world of full-time screen time.
🎨 Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide - John Cleese
A tiny book packed with big ideas. Whether you’re heading into design, content, copy or campaigns, this is your permission slip to take your time, trust your instincts, and stop overthinking your first drafts.
🧰 The Creative Nudge - Mick Mahoney & Kevin Chesters
No-fluff advice from two creative industry insiders. It’s about shifting how you think, building habits, and unlocking good ideas - ideal for when your brain feels stuck and you’re doom-scrolling for inspiration.
💼 How Work Works - Michelle P. King, PH.D.
What actually is good work? What do boundaries look like when you’re freelance, remote or just starting out? This one’s packed with clear, kind thinking for anyone trying to build a meaningful career without burning out.
🖍️ Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert
A classic creative pep talk. If you’re dealing with self-doubt, impostor syndrome, or fear of starting, this one’s for you. Read it with a highlighter, then make something immediately.
📚 Nobody Cares About Your Career - Erika Ayers Badan
A no-nonsense guide to building a career that actually works for you. Less about job titles, more about mindset, systems, and how to survive work when you’re not a carbon copy of everyone else in the room. Practical, inclusive, and refreshingly honest.
🧩 The Portfolio Life - Christina Wallace
Perfect if you don’t want to pick just one path. This one’s all about creating a career out of multiple interests, skills and income streams - which, let’s face it, is the reality for most creatives anyway.
One last thing:
You don’t need to read them all. Even just one could shift your perspective or help you take the next step. But if you’ve got a bit of breathing room this summer, take it. Let your brain stretch out a bit. Let someone else’s words unlock something new.