So Many Great Books!
Recommended Books
I love to read, and when I am working on something new I try to find as many books as possible that connect to the idea. The books below directly helped me build The Verdancy Project. I've also included a few that are less residency-specific but have shaped the way I think about creativity, work, and life. I hope you find something you enjoy.
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect - Will Guidara This one comes from the world of restaurants, not artist residencies, but it was one of the most inspiring books I read during the early years of TVP. Guidara's approach to generosity and care translates beautifully to any context where you are creating an experience for others.
A fun, energizing read with a lot of practical nuggets. If you are thinking about how to build something creative and community-rooted in a specific place, this one is worth your time.
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact - Chip Heath, Dan Heath
This book gets into the research and analytics behind what makes certain experiences stick. I found it genuinely interesting, though occasionally the emphasis on engineering moments through market research felt a little at odds with why I got into this work in the first place. Still, there are real insights here, and some of the stories are genuinely touching.
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters - Priya Parker
I have mixed feelings about this one. There are useful ideas in it, and a few passages that sparked real thinking for me. But Parker moves in a very particular world of high-profile, well-funded gatherings, and that gap can make parts of it feel remote. Worth reading with that caveat in mind.
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action - Simon Sinek
If you have read my book Nurturing Creativity, you already know I think about this one a lot. It will help you get clear on what actually matters to you and why you are doing what you are doing. Pair it with Sinek's Ted Talk if you have not seen it.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones - James Clear
I have read this book several times, which tells you something. It is fundamentally about how small changes compound over time, and it applies whether you are trying to shift your studio practice, your creative routines, or how you run your program. One of those books that genuinely changes how you see your own behavior.
Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts - Oliver Burkeman
I love this book and give it away constantly. It is easy to get stuck in a doing-more mindset, especially when you are building something, and Burkeman is a gentle but clear-eyed guide back to what actually matters. No meditation exercises, despite the title.