The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

The Creative Act

Subtitle: A Way of Being

Author: Rick Rubin

Genre: Nonfiction, Creativity

Format: Physical

Publish Date: January 2023

Read: November 2023

Favorite Quote: The magic is not in the analyzing or the understanding. The magic lives in the wonder of what we do not know.

Synopsis: Rick Rubin, a wildly successful music producer and co-founder of Def Jam Records, wanted to make a book about how to make a great piece of art. Instead, he created a guide on how to be your most authentic self.

Why does this book beguile? The Creative Act is a beautifully written, accessible book that explores life as art. If you believe that your life is art, you are an artist. And artists must create. The Creative Act is an exploration of removing the barriers - both external and internal - to ensure you’re able to create the art to bring out the best version of yourself.

I found The Creative Act incredibly inspiring and one of my favorite nonfiction books this year. It’s simple, with short, digestible chapters. It’s easy to pick it up, read a passage, and think about how it applies to you. I’ll be revisiting this book for years to come.

Rating: 5/5

Link*: The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

If you’re interested in this, read*: Enchantment by Katherine May