inspiration #004 | books

Bookstores and libraries are wonderful places to uncover new ideas. Looking online through web pages of book cover images and titles is in no way the same feeling as glancing at an array of full bookshelves in person and being able to immediately pick up a book and flip through its pages. The occasion to welcome your intuition that leads you to your next book within the stacks and genres. There’s a particular ambiance to these places that present an environment to center your thoughts, to pause, reflect, and wonder.

I had forgotten what it was like. I hadn’t been to a bookstore in years, the concept faded into the background of my life, with moves and store closures, as well as my desire to actually read more books versus only buying more books to read eventually. The library’s online catalogues, interlibrary loan, and set due dates, allowed me to start reading routinely again. I visited the library, but I was only there to pick up a book I knew they had available. It was a quick errand versus quality time spent. I decided to go to the library and find a book the antiquated and unrushed way: wandering through the shelves.

Besides finding a new book to read and story to discover, during this time and my purposeful visits to bookstores again, I remembered that a book has multiple visual elements too: the front and back covers, the spine, the book jacket, all of it is a design layout containing colors, text, typography, and images that may just be insight to your next idea.

The joy of visuals brings me to the coffee table book. These large books, full of images, are intended to be on display (such as on a coffee table) for people to flip through and look at. These books showcase many interests, from general overviews to specifics in fashion, history, art, places, objects, and more. The term “coffee table book” was first published in 1961 in the 36th edition of Arts Magazine, though this concept and type of book has been around much longer than that. The large-scale imagery offers a bigger, more spectacular view in print. There’s a presence to the art piece or photograph in front of you, even if it’s still only 2-dimensional. The novelty of a picture book and the wonder of observing details is a way to revive inspiration and easily unplug from screen time. I love a good coffee table book!

Books that you’ve already read can be a foundation to create new work from as well. Ask yourself why you did or didn’t like something. Take note of characters and their traits and see how you can apply that to your own character writing process. Imagine a scene you’ve read and translate it into the art medium of your choice. Jot down new words you find (and their definitions) and the phrases that perfectly express something to you. Even book titles themselves can be their own spark of inspiration. What words stood out to you to make you choose that book off the shelf?

Reflect on questions like these because all the answers contribute to your style and a better understanding of yourself, which in turn helps you make better work. The next book you find could be the start of your next creative something. If you haven’t been to a bookstore or the library in awhile, I encourage you to make time for a visit soon. If you’ve been recently, revisit an area you didn’t pay as much attention to before, or maybe there’s a new library or a local bookstore around to explore.

So pick up a book, and keep creating.