2025 was many things- first and foremost, however, it was the year of unlearning and purging ourselves of habits, situations, and traits that have failed to serve us. The astrology adherents would chalk this up to the Year of the Snake- the celestial year for shedding and being reborn, and even though I wouldn’t call myself a believer, I am inclined to agree with them. 

2025 taught us what cannot be done anymore, and 2026 urges us to deliver on the promises of change, not to fall back into our patterns, but to synthesise our learnings and go forth with a newfound energy and mindfulness. 

So, how can we do that? How do we make sure that we don’t burn ourselves out with the vigour of January and end up in May completely the same, and simultaneously beating ourselves up for not changing? Well, we turn to our pages, and our thoughts, and we consume the materials and texts that add to us, not take away. So, here are some books that you can turn to this year, to remind yourself that your growth in 2026 doesn’t have to be linear, but it has to be intentional; and if you imbibe these teachings, you can make 2026 the year where you evolve. 

If you’re thinking, surely this isn’t THE Rick Rubin, of music production fame? Then you would be wrong, because this brilliant producer (  With a discography of Run D.M.C, Geto Boys, Linkin Park, and The Strokes- hello, range) is also an incredible writer and professional artist, as displayed by the deep wisdom in this book. Rubin urges us to approach creativity less as a system of output and production (the final product) and more as a choice- a decision/intentional method of how you engage with the world and the everyday. As I read it, I was able to learn to reframe creativity, and by extension, creation, as a spiritual practice of being aware- and in awe- of your world, and your place in it. 

What better way to learn the art of creativity than from the man who has seen and worked with so many kinds of artists and genres? Clocking in at just over 430 pages, the writing style is gripping and reflective; it definitely would help to keep a notepad close by. 

Being an artist is 20% a physical act of creation, and 80% a mental battle you must fight every day. In such a field, such a practice, we are often immobile- too burdened by self-doubt, and negative talk- that we end up sabotaging our own efforts. Writer and Poet, Brianna Wiest, tackles that very self-sabotage, inviting you to consider that the only barrier- the only mountain- to your success, is oftentimes you. In the span of 200 pages, Wiest suggests that the timeless metaphor of scaling our ‘mountains’, i.e our challenges, actually refers to getting over ourselves- our habits, patterns, and fears.  

This book provides a space for you to reflect on the ways that you are holding yourself back and also touches on actionable steps and habits you can put into practice to scale that ‘mountain’ faster and better this year. 

If there’s one thing that can prove a constant struggle in following a creative career path is wondering how to manage your finances. With so many in the industry working freelance- trading in salary stability for the opportunity to have artistic enrichment- a key skill to learn is how to manage money, and build wealth that sustains you for the rest of your life.

 Eker’s book ‘The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind’ takes you on a journey that sets you up for financial success. His conceptualisation of a ‘personal money and success blueprint’ tackles the childhood patterns that have led to your current relationship with money, and teaches you to revise this blueprint; to not simply earn more, but build a financial foundation. Written by author, businessman, and motivational speaker T. Harv Eker, the book is based on a mix of his own life experiences and his lifelong deep dive into what makes wealthy people wealthy.  With action steps to increase your wealth, this book clocks in at 212 pages, taking you through a light-hearted, sometimes funny, and incredibly useful journey in your relationship with finances. 

While no book is a panacea for bettering an entire community, Deida certainly attempts the antidote. Exploring the essentiality of both masculine and feminine energies when moving through life, In The Way of the Superior Man, Deida argues that to truly become a better man (Read, human), one must live their life with integrity and conscientiousness; rather than fall into prevailing traps of machismo and inflexibility. Divided into 8 parts, the book explores a man’s relationship with women, work, and ambition, and attempts to provide a philosophical approach to the concept of masculinity. 

Possibly the second-most common small-talk topic for all artists (After the weather, we’re still in the UK after all), is ‘Have you done The Artist’s Way?’. While most of the responses to this are ‘Half of it’, or ‘I tried but I couldn’t finish it’, it’s not because the book doesn’t work. It is actually because it works too well, and we are all afraid of finishing the marathon. Spread over 12 weeks, this book is less a text to read and more of a routine to imbibe. Released in 1992 by multidisciplinary artist and teacher Julia Cameron, this workbook forces its audience to confront each aspect of creative blocks, inadequacy, and imposter syndrome to start being an artist who does the work, instead of just thinking about it. 

Don’t start this book if you’re not ready to commit to the work you have to put in, but as someone who is halfway through, it really does show results. And if you stick to it, you will gain the key skills you need to be an artist in every moment of your life, not just in your workplace. 

You will probably find yourself being called out for some of your unhealthy mental habits on every other page, so be prepared for the jumpscare, I warned you now!  

Let us know if any of these books are making it on your reading list this year, and we hope that the coming months provide you with creative inspiration and excellence!