Books that will inspire you to create

Megan Collins of the @themanicuredshelf is back to share her book recommendations that fall into our June theme of CREATE. So many good ones - let us know if you’re reading along in the comments!

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Literally Me by Julie Houts (Illustrative Comedy)

“The perfect gift for your creative friend” 

Julie Houts is one of my favorite comedians and illustrators and overall fashion icons. I have several of her prints hanging in my apartment, and I absolutely love her commentary on female dynamics, women, wellness, and society. One of my favorite stories is about Coachella (2022 recently announced!) called “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” 

  • CULTURAL THEMES: Women, Art, Fashion, Mental Health, Humor

  • READ SPEED: Fast 

BECOMING by Michelle Obama (autobiography)

“creating your own narrative.”

I admire how Michelle Obama got creative with the role of the first lady. In this book, you see a lot of her BTS creative process, how she took on making the role her own. 

  • CULTURAL THEMES: Women, Race Feminism, Politics, Marriage, Motherhood

  • READ SPEED: Slow

WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE by Maria Semple (Fiction) 

“exploring the cultural tension between feminism x creative arts” 

This is one of my all-time favorite books and one of my go-to recommendations. It’s about an eccentric artist named Bernadette told from the perspective of her daughter, Bee. Living with her husband and daughter in the Seattle tech space, Bernadette feels creatively stifled, and her mental health is suffering. To cope, she makes some decisions that explore cultural expectations of mothers versus fathers and what it means for a little girl to grow up watching her mom pursue her creative passions. 

  • CULTURAL THEMES: Motherhood, Marriage, Family, Art

  • Read Speed: Fast 

DAISY JONES AND THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Read 

“The intimacy of the creative process”

A delightfully satisfying‚—if a bit overhyped—quick read perfect for a book club. It captures the “vibes” of Los Angeles, and at times you’ll find yourself forgetting that the characters aren’t real icons from pop culture history. Chronicling the meteoric rise and fall of a fictional band told through a behind-the-music style format, the creative storytelling is what won me over. 

  • CULTURAL THEMES: Music, Fame, Marriage, Addiction

  • READ SPEED: Very Fast