 |
|
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |  |  |
|
"It's never too late to be what you might have been," said George Eliot. Creative talented and inventive people are not just "born" that way, nor is creativity a special gift given to special people. It is in each of us. It is that ability and potential to "bring in to being, to originate, to produce." Studies show that you can actually transform your health, emotional well being and social life by taking up something you have always wanted to try, whether that is an art form, a hobby, music, gardening, business, or a new way of doing something you already love doing. The following are some recommended books about the "process" of creativity and how to discover, stimulate, nurture and implement your creative spirit.
14 listings found. |
 Print this list E-mail this list
 
|
|
|
Do Not Go Gently: the Power of Imagination in Aging A journey across the country and deep into the human brain explores what it means to remain creative as one ages. Three artists who continue to innovate, one gerontologist, and seniors who are struggling to come to terms with the changes in their lives -- all show us the power of imagination in aging--Container. 2007 | ||
|
Sixty Things to Do When You Turn Sixty: 60 Experts On the Subject of Turning 60 At this time in history "on average 13,680 people in North America turn sixty every day." Is sixty the "new forty?" If so, we can look to the future with optimism and enthusiasm. We may have our best years ahead of us. The contributers to this book, who are from all walks of life, offer instruction and advice to make these years as "fullfulling and rewarding as possible." 2006 | ||
|
Young @ Heart Young at Heart Chorus is based in Northampton, MA. See the final weeks of rehearsal for the group, whose average age is 81, and many of whom must overcome health adversities to participate. Their music is unexpected, going against the stereotype of their age group, performing songs that range from James Brown to Coldplay. Although the group has toured in Europe and sang for royalty, they are now focusing on preparing new songs, not an easy endeavor, for a concert in their home town, which succeeds in spite of several real heart breaking events. 2008 | |||
|
Adams, Noah Piano Lessons : Music, Love & True Adventures This one gets the prize as one of my favorite recommended books. Noah Adams (formerly of NPR's All Things Considered), at age 50+, dreams of playing the piano, of learning one "fairly complicated song pretty well" and having the courage to try it. In order to nurture a long lost childhood desire, he plunges in. As he does, join him though monthly chapters about his life, his wife, job, interesting bits about pianos, players, music, annoying obstacles, fears, doubts and finally grand leaps forward as he pursues his crowning and glorious performance for an audience of one. Oh, it is so worth the reading! 1996 | ||
|
Alford, Henry, 1962- How to Live : a Search for Wisdom from Old People (while They are Still On this Earth) Part family memoir, part Studs Terkel, How To Live considers some unusual sources--deathbed confessions, late-in-life journals--as well as offering a rich compilation of interviews with the over-70 set to deliver a highly optimistic look at our dying days. If you plan to grow old, then this one is essential! 2009 Appears on the following book lists:
| ||
|
Benson, Herbert The Break-out Principle: Activate the Natural Trigger That Maximizes Creativity, Productivity, and Personal Well-being "The Breakout Principle" identifies the biological trigger that increases mental function, enhances creativity, optimizes productivity, maximizes athletic performance, and enriches spiritual development. Particularly note the chapters: "mapping the creative mind" and "The second peak--creativity." 2003 | ||
|
Davidson, Sara. Leap!: What Will We Do with the Rest of Our Lives? Davidson interviews well-known men and women as well as ordinary citizens on topics such as sex in the age of Cialis, finding meaningful work later in life, having a community to grow old with, and discovering a spiritual path--and sets out on a passionate quest to learn how to do the coming years well. 2007 Appears on the following book lists:  Aging Well | ||
|
Goldman, Connie Secrets of Becoming a Late Bloomer: Staying Creative Aware and Involved in Midlife and Beyond An inspiration for those who aspire to make their later years fulfilling, empowering, and creative, this wisdom-filled book is based on the real-life success stories of hundreds of older Americans who have chosen to defy age-regulated stereotypes and make their maturing years more satisfying 2007 Appears on the following book lists: Aging Well Thinking of Moving or Retiring? | ||
|
Hansen, Mark Victor How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life Authors Hanson and Linkletter, (incredibly active at 94), have some great advice for the 76.9 million Baby Boomers coming into retirement age. "Grow Old, Don't Get Old." Forget about "Entitlements" and exchange them for the "Ten Empowerments" suggested in this book. Stories, anecdotes and useful tools provide inspiration, strategies, resources, self- tests and motivation for renewed passions and interests for the future 2006 | ||
|
Johnson, Robert A. Living Your Unlived Life: Coping with Unrealized Dreams and Fulfilling Your Purpose in the Second Half of Life If you have ever dreamed of a life different from the one you have, maybe it is time you pay attention to that yearning and explore other paths, options and opportunities to find your underdeveloped talent, hidden potential, fresh possibilities or awakening to a higher calling. Psychologists Johnson and Ruhl provide a blueprint and practical advice for inner growth and revitalized living. 2007 | ||
|
Langer, Ellen J. On Becoming an Artist: Reinventing Yourself Through Mindful Creativity On Becoming an Artist is loaded with good news. Backed by her landmark scientific work on mindfulness and artistic nature, bestselling author and Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer shows us that creativity is not a rare gift that only some special few are born with but rather an integral part of everyone's makeup. All of us can express our creative impulses-authentically and uniquely-and, in the process, enrich our lives. Why then do so many of us merely dream of someday painting, someday writing, someday making music? Dr. Langer offers myriad insights, describes dozens of fascinating experiments that were designed to study mindfulness and its relation to human creativity. (Jacket) 2005 | ||
|
Lawrence-Lightfoot, Sara The Third Chapter : Passion Risk and Adventure in the 25 Years After 50 Renowned sociologist Dr. Lawrence-Lightfoot challenges the still-prevailing and anachronistic images of aging by documenting and revealing the ways in which the years between 50 and 75--the third chapter--may, in fact, be the most transformative and generative time in a person's 2009 Appears on the following book lists: Keep Learning, Keep Active | ||
|
Schwalbe, Robert Sixty Sexy and Successful : a Guide for Aging Male Baby Boomers This book's focus is for men who are approaching 60, or are already there. The author proposes positive efforts men can take to make their senior years the most rewarding, satisfying and meaningful possible. He covers every aspect: physical, mental, emotional, family, finances, working, retiring, love, loss, attitude adjustments, grandparenting and finding new beginnings. It's all in this one book! 2008 | ||
|
Tharp, Twyla The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life : a Practical Guide "Creativity is not a gift from the gods," says Twyla Tharp, that is bestowed by some divine and mystical spark. It is the product of preparation and effort, and it's within reach of everyone who wants to achieve it. All it takes is a willingness to make creativity a habit, an integral part of your life: c2003 |
|
Print this list E-mail this list
|
| Updated: Sep. 2009 © Hennepin County Library We welcome your comments and suggestions. |
