- The Good: Short chapters with simple lessons that add up to more than the sum of their parts
- The Bad: Some woo-woo
- The Literary: Lots of references to famous artists, musicians, writers, etc
Famed music producer Rick Rubin pens short musings on creativity—not just music, but any form of self-expression. Creativity is for everyone, and Rubin follows the course of the artist and the creative process. This is your reminder to reconnect with play and innocence to transcend expectations of what is supposed to be.
The Creative Act may seem like a long book when you pick it up, but its bite-sized chapters are easy to swallow. You don’t have to read them in any order, although there is a natural progression through the creative process. It’s best taken in slowly and revisited when needed. This book primarily gives advice for making music, art, and writing, with touches of self-help and new-age philosophy. There’s not a lot of specific advice for any one creative area, but the message is a general balm for the artist who doubts themselves, at any stage in the process.
While reading, I often think of how simple the writing and advice is, but I’m left feeling quite inspired and optimistic. The cynic in me wants to say that anyone could have written this, and there is a little too much woo-woo and several blanket statements about focusing solely on the passion from a rather rich man who can afford to do so. But despite all that, I love Rubin’s consistent message that the art is bigger than the artist. He invites you to leave your ego behind and to create what brings you joy. The seeds for creativity are everywhere; indeed, living life as present and mindful as possible are the foundations.
Recommended for artists seeking inspirational proverbs, little meditations, to get your creative juices flowing. I’ll be keeping this one for easy reference in the future.