The books that influenced ‘Show Your Work’
A spread from Show Your Work
The book Show Your Work by Austin Kleon is ended with a quote by Cormac McCarthy (R.I.P):
“Books are made of books”.
The quote is followed by a list of books that informed/influenced Kleon during the writing of Show Your Work. I just added them all to my “to-read” list.
These books were read by an artist I admire, and distilled by that artist into a book that I appreciate. As far as book recommendations go, that’s about as legit as it gets.
I want to create an easily accessible list I can revisit when I need a hit of influence in the direction of something like Show Your Work. SYW is a great handbook for anyone who needs tactics and encouragement to get their own amazing artwork seen by the world. I highly suggest you give it a read.
Books that influenced Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
“A Year with Swollen Appendices”, Brian Eno
“Where Good Ideas Come From”, Steven Johnson
“How Music Works”, David Byrne
“Design is a Job”, Mike Monteiro
“Don’t Go Back to School”, Kio Stark
“Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock ‘N’ Roll Group”, Ian Svenonius
“Making Movies”, Sidney Lumet
“The Art of Money Getting”, P.T. Barnum