You may already know that spoken audio plays a big part in my art practice, I would admit that it’s kind of a comfort blanket for me.
I loved books as a child, I wasn’t an avid reader however, there was only one true bookworm in my family (my sister Ed) and she was a walking-talking encyclopaedia - so it’s no wonder she became a lawyer - she reads my blog, I’m talking about books, I have to give her a mention!
My choice of books were always adventure and fantasy, titles that had the most arty covers always came home with me, Anansi Spider books, Aesop’s Fables, Alice In Wonderland, Beatrix Potter and as a teen, The Never Ending Story, JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit and Michael Ende’s Lord of the Flies etc. I will always be grateful to my old arty school friend Matthew who introduced me to Judge Dredd comics (and also showed me how to tag / graffiti).
Back to books; I would enter summer reading competitions at my local library every year. My sisters and I loved taking part in the competition, each child had to read as many books as they could and complete a quiz or write an account or both - my memory escapes me.
My accident many years later in 2013 brought about a state of post-traumatic growth and with this came my hunger for non-fiction and to learn.
If you’re new to my art practice, here’s a short blurb to bring you up to speed; I was born a creative kid, art was always my strong point. After art school, I went into design management because I didn’t like being told how to create as a junior designer. After working as a suit in branding, advertising and digital I set up my own branding consultancy and E-commerce business at home whilst on maternity leave. My E-commerce business took off but it also took over my life. One evening during a storm just before Christmas, I was struck by a six foot piece of concrete render which came off a building as I walked home from a trip to the post office. I lay unconscious until someone came to help me. I broke my spine, both collar bones and suffered a head fracture. I was taken to Neurology in Kings College Hospital where the consultant told me I was lucky to be alive. For me this was a miracle. Later, an awakening and most definitely a second chance at life. A chance to return to my true self - the child whose life was not complete without art.
During my head and spinal recovery in 2014, I used TED Talks, podcasts and later, audiobooks to try and make sense of my physical and emotional trauma. It started with TED Talks where I would learn from various leaders in their fields who would reference a book or a podcast and I would just follow that chain of recommendations. Before I knew it, I was listening to podcasts about neuroscience and consciousness.
I underwent therapy for a few months after the accident and was diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), however after my sessions I would still have intrusive thoughts of being struck by large moving or falling items whilst walking on the pavement. The worst was imagining the same happening to my children.
Over the years I have found reading difficult, my mind wanders and my eyes get tired whilst reading, so I was very grateful to have discovered Audible during my recovery in 2014.
For years I have created whilst listening to audio. I immerse myself in what I’m listening to which evokes a flow state, one that I can easily fall into now whilst making art.
Listening and concentrating on other people talking also distracts me from my own negative thoughts. I wonder if it could also be a coping mechanism from the intrusive thoughts I used to get after my accident?
I once spoke to a neuroscientist about my need to listen / be distracted whilst I paint and she helped me make sense of it. She explained that the central executive networks of our brains are responsible for focus and the default networks are responsible for creativity and intuition, adding that in our most creative states we want to be able to rapidly switch between the two networks. That is exactly what I do. My mind constantly wanders between listening and painting, stopping to make notes, and then the cycle starts again. I can continue like that for hours and before I know it, it’s 5pm and time to go in and make dinner for my family.
I’ve often wondered if I’ve developed a little addiction, a good one at that right? Who doesn’t want to be addicted to learning and falling into a flow state?
Being in a state of flow, listening to other people talk and learning at the same time is one of my happy places. Even though I sometimes stop to note down an aha moment, I know how to get straight back into flow, a skill honed by one of the many books and podcasts I have listened to.
I have a saying, myself and my work are always works in progress. The books and podcasts I listen to are usually subjects that relate to either my interest in consciousness or my love for art.
Most of my artworks have a related book and the titles of my paintings often come from or are inspired by something I have learned from a book.
I realised recently that I listen to at least one book a month. Most books usually span the creative cycle of my paintings and although the visual may not directly correlate to the book (I would say that early abstract paintings do!) the titles always do. This is my nod to the books that have kept me inspired, engaged and in a flow state whilst creating.
Last year I listened to 12 audiobooks and over 2,000 minutes of podcasts in the studio whilst I created 15 new large-scale oil paintings.
I do love music, however I rarely listen to it in the studio. Perhaps on a Friday afternoon my neighbours might hear me belting along to some old boy bands (WestLife, East17, Blue, Backstreet Boys, Bon Jovi - don’t judge me!) or some classic house music - I hope I’ve redeemed myself.
The list below has been a long time coming but in order of reading, these are the titles that have shaped my PTG, personal growth and in turn, my art. I will create a separate blog for the TED Talks and podcasts, there are quite a few of those too.
In the meantime, if you choose to read any of the books below, I hope they bring you enlightenment as they have for me. Please feel free to share this with anyone who needs it. After a life-threatening accident and so many questions of “why”, they have truly helped me to change my life and continue to do so. If you have already read some of the books below; we are aligned.
Ps. I am always looking for new recommendations within the genres of philosophy, consciousness, neuroscience and spirituality. You can comment below on this blog.
2019
The Eckhart Tolle Audio Collection — Eckhart Tolle
A compilation of Eckhart Tolle’s core teachings on presence, consciousness, and spiritual awakening.
The Nocturnal Brain — Dr Guy Leschziner
A scientific examination of sleep disorders and the neurological processes behind sleep and dreaming.
2020
Think Like a Monk — Jay Shetty
A practical guide drawing on ancient monastic wisdom to reduce stress and build purpose in modern life.
The Greatest Secret — Rhonda Byrne
A spiritual book focused on awareness, consciousness, and the nature of the true self beyond thought.
The Power of Now — Eckhart Tolle
A spiritual guide emphasising present-moment awareness as the foundation of inner peace and awakening.
The Power — Rhonda Byrne
A self-help book centred on gratitude as a tool for improving life experiences.
Breath — James Nestor
An investigation into the science and history of breathing and its impact on health and performance.
Stealing Fire — Steven Kotler & Jamie Wheal
An exploration of altered states of consciousness and their role in innovation, creativity, and peak performance.
How to Be an Artist — Jerry Saltz
A practical and motivational guide offering advice on sustaining an artistic practice.
Memories, Dreams, Reflections — Carl Jung
Carl Jung’s autobiographical account of his life, dreams, and development of analytical psychology.
The Untethered Soul — Michael A. Singer
A spiritual guide focused on observing thoughts and emotions to achieve inner freedom.
Misfits — Michaela Coel
A collection of essays examining creativity, identity, integrity, and personal truth.
Being You — Anil Seth
A neuroscience-based explanation of how consciousness and the sense of self are constructed by the brain.
Talk Art — Russell Tovey & Robert Diament
A conversational introduction to contemporary art, artists, and the modern art world.
A New Earth — Eckhart Tolle
A spiritual book examining the ego and the possibility of collective and personal awakening.
Stillness Speaks — Eckhart Tolle
A collection of short reflections pointing toward inner silence and present awareness.
2022
The Complete Conversations with God — Neale Donald Walsch
A compilation of spiritual dialogues addressing existence, divinity, and human purpose.
The Surrender Experiment — Michael A. Singer
A memoir describing the author’s experience of surrendering personal will to life’s unfolding events.
The Silva Mind Control Method — José Silva & Philip Miele
A self-help system teaching meditation and visualisation techniques to improve mental functioning.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck — Mark Manson
A self-help book advocating values-based decision making and psychological resilience.
The Magic of Awareness — Anam Thubten
A spiritual teaching focused on awakening through awareness and compassion.
No Self, No Problem — Anam Thubten
A Buddhist-influenced guide to understanding non-self and reducing suffering.
2023
Jesus: My Autobiography — Tina Louise Spalding
A channeled spiritual narrative presenting teachings attributed to Jesus.
Infinite Awareness — Marjorie Hines Woollacott
An exploration of consciousness integrating neuroscience, meditation, and spiritual experience.
The Gratitude Effect — Dr John F. Demartini
A personal development book examining how gratitude influences perception and behaviour.
1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows — Ai Weiwei
A memoir detailing the artist’s life, activism, and family history within modern China.
Art Is Life — Jerry Saltz
A collection of essays examining art’s role in culture, creativity, and daily life.
The Story of Art Without Men — Katy Hessel
A re-examination of art history focusing exclusively on women artists.
Year of Yes — Shonda Rhimes
A memoir describing a year of personal change prompted by embracing new opportunities.
The Buddha and the Badass — Vishen Lakhiani
A self-development book combining mindfulness practices with personal and professional growth strategies.
2024
How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and Listen So Teens Will Talk — Adele Faber
A communication guide offering strategies for improving relationships with teenagers.
Feeling and Knowing — Antonio Damasio
A scientific study of how feelings contribute to consciousness and knowledge.
Creativity — Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
A psychological analysis of creative processes based on research with highly creative individuals.
Goethe: A BBC Radio Drama Collection — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Audio dramatisations of selected works by Goethe produced by the BBC.
The World According to Proust — Joshua Landy
An examination of Marcel Proust’s philosophical ideas through his literary work.
Making Sense — Sam Harris
A collection of essays and conversations addressing ethics, science, and philosophy.
Black Liturgies — Cole Arthur Riley
A series of reflective prayers exploring spirituality, identity, and communal healing.
Waking Up — Sam Harris
A secular guide to spirituality and mindfulness grounded in neuroscience and philosophy.
2025
We Who Wrestle With God — Jordan B. Peterson
A philosophical exploration of biblical narratives and their psychological significance.
The Let Them Theory — Mel Robbins
A mindset framework encouraging emotional detachment from others’ behaviour.
The Power of Your Mind — (Author unspecified)
A self-help book focused on mental discipline, belief, and positive thinking.
12 Rules for Life — Jordan B. Peterson
A set of principles combining psychology, philosophy, and practical advice for living responsibly.
Beyond Wanting — Matt Cooke
A contemplative work examining desire, identity, and emotional clarity.
How to Art — Kate Bryan & David Shrigley
An accessible guide to understanding contemporary art and artistic practice.
The Source — Dr Tara Swart
A guide combining neuroscience and psychology to support behavioural and mindset change.
The Signs — Dr Tara Swart
A neuroscience-based exploration of intuition, synchronicity, and decision-making.
Joy Chose You — Donna Ashworth
A poetry collection reflecting on joy, resilience and everyday moments.
2026
A Balm for Your Soul — Jason Nelson
A devotional book offering spiritual encouragement and emotional support.
I Still Believe in Miracles — Lucas Jones
A reflective poetic work exploring faith, hope and belief in difficult circumstances.
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