Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: If you loved Big Magic, read Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, then Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones, then Brené Brown's Daring Greatly and The Gifts of Imperfection, and Glennon Doyle's Untamed and James Clear's Atomic Habits. All are encouraging creative-life books.
Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic (2015) is a guide to living a creative life. These picks share its encouragement.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Artist's Way | Julia Cameron | Adult | creative people |
| Writing Down the Bones | Natalie Goldberg | Adult | daily practice |
| Daring Greatly | Brené Brown | Adult | readers who want courage |
| The Gifts of Imperfection | Brené Brown | Adult | readers who want self-compassion |
| Untamed | Glennon Doyle | Adult | readers who like a modern memoir |
| Atomic Habits | James Clear | Adult | readers who want habits |
| Mindset | Carol S. Dweck | Adult | readers who want a psychology angle |
| Grit | Angela Duckworth | Adult | readers who like research |
| Flow | Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi | Adult | psychology fans |
| Quiet | Susan Cain | Adult | introverts |
| Bossypants | Tina Fey | Adult | readers who want laughs |
| Eat a Peach | David Chang | Adult | chef memoirs |
| Wild | Cheryl Strayed | Adult | readers who like journey memoirs |
| Rising Strong | Brene Brown | Adult | falling and getting up |
| Radical Acceptance | Tara Brach | Adult | self-compassion |
1. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
A 12-week course to unblock creativity, with morning pages and artist dates. Practical and widely loved.
Best for: creative people.
2. Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
A classic on writing practice and freewriting. Gentle and practical.
Best for: daily practice.
3. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
Brown writes about vulnerability and shame. Warm and practical.
Best for: readers who want courage.
4. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
Brown explains how to embrace imperfection and live with courage. Clear and kind.
Best for: readers who want self-compassion.
5. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Doyle writes about listening to your inner voice and breaking free of expectations. Funny and emotional.
Best for: readers who like a modern memoir.
6. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Clear shows how small changes build large results. Clear, actionable and popular.
Best for: readers who want habits.
7. Mindset by Carol S. Dweck
Dweck explains the difference between fixed and growth mindsets. Influential and easy to read.
Best for: readers who want a psychology angle.
8. Grit by Angela Duckworth
Duckworth argues that passion and perseverance matter more than talent. Full of stories and research.
Best for: readers who like research.
9. Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The classic study of deep absorption and happiness. Dense but rewarding.
Best for: psychology fans.
10. Quiet by Susan Cain
Cain explains the strengths of introverts. Insightful and encouraging.
Best for: introverts.
11. Bossypants by Tina Fey
Fey writes about her career in comedy and life as a working mother. Funny, quick and clear-eyed.
Best for: readers who want laughs.
12. Eat a Peach by David Chang
The chef behind Momofuku describes his rise and his struggles with depression. Frank and funny.
Best for: chef memoirs.
13. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
After her mother's death, Strayed hikes the Pacific Crest Trail alone. Honest and inspiring.
Best for: readers who like journey memoirs.
14. Rising Strong by Brene Brown
Brown explores how to recover after failure. Practical and warm.
Best for: falling and getting up.
15. Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
A psychologist describes how self-compassion can heal shame. Gentle and personal.
Best for: self-compassion.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with Big Magic: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
If you are not sure where to begin, start with the first three picks in the table: they are the closest match to Big Magic. The rest of the list moves further out, so it works well once you know which part of the original you liked most.
How to Choose
For creativity, read The Artist's Way. For writing, try Writing Down the Bones. For courage, pick Daring Greatly.
Related: Untamed by Glennon Doyle: Summary and Key Takeaways · Atomic Habits by James Clear: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Big Magic?
Elizabeth Gilbert, in 2015.
What is it about?
Living a creative life without fear.
Is it long?
No, it is a short read.
Which book here is best for self-compassion?
Try Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach, which suits readers looking for self-compassion.
Which book here is best for falling and getting up?
Try Rising Strong by Brene Brown, which suits readers looking for falling and getting up.
Which book here is best for readers who like journey memoirs?
Try Wild by Cheryl Strayed, which suits readers looking for readers who like journey memoirs.
Which book here is best for chef memoirs?
Try Eat a Peach by David Chang, which suits readers looking for chef memoirs.
Which book here is best for readers who want laughs?
Try Bossypants by Tina Fey, which suits readers looking for readers who want laughs.
Which book here is best for introverts?
Try Quiet by Susan Cain, which suits readers looking for introverts.
Which book here is best for psychology fans?
Try Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, which suits readers looking for psychology fans.
Which book here is best for readers who like research?
Try Grit by Angela Duckworth, which suits readers looking for readers who like research.
Which book here is best for readers who want a psychology angle?
Try Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, which suits readers looking for readers who want a psychology angle.