Last week, I facilitated creativity workshop for a group of 16 professional women. One of the tips on creativity development that I mentioned in my closing summary, was the need to READ BOOKS! After the workshop, several participants came to me and asked for good tips on related books. Therefore I created a selection of 10 amazing creativity and innovation books in English and in French (ENG/FR). Each of them is different so you will certainly find what you are looking for:

Out of the Box (ENG)
Penser Malin (FR)
Author : Rob Eastaway
Who will like it ? Creativity beginners, curious people looking for simple ways to generate original ideas. Small book demonstrating that creative thinking can be applied everywhere by everyone.
Pros :
- has large number of simple techniques and tips on creative problem solving
- includes short descriptions that are easy to understand
- brings diversity – stories, instructions, drawings, games, quotations, etc.
- can be read in 1 day and then used as a handbook for inspiration
Cons :
- no instructions and tips for creativity facilitation

Thinkertoys – A hanbook of creative thinking techniques (ENG)
Thinkertoys : 30 jeux pour dégourdir l’esprit (FR)
Author : Michael Michalko
Who will like it ? People who are serious about creativity development and want to learn various techniques to be used individually or in a group.
Pros :
- has detailed descriptions of 30 different creative techniques
- includes blue print summaries explaining each technique step-by-step
- has creative drawings and visual exercises
- presents real business examples of applied creativity
Cons :
- introduction is very long and some text descriptions are not very clear

The ASTD Trainer’s Sourcebook – Creativity & Innovation (ENG)
Author : Elaine Biech
Who will like it ? Experienced trainers and facilitators who would like to enlarge their portfolio of competencies and start facilitating creative idea workshops.
Pros :
- is a complete sourcebook for creativity facilitators
- includes large number of exercises, games, facilitation tips and materials
- has customizable training designs for ½ day, 1-day and 1-hour workshop
- presents large number of simple creativity techniques
Cons :
- redundancy of few exercises and materials, available only in English

La Boite à Outils de l’Innovation (FR)
Author : Géraldine Benoit-Cervantes
Who will like it ? Innovation experts and practitioners looking for toolbox of methods, processes and techniques to use. It can be used for any types of innovation: product, service, processes, people management, etc.
Pros :
- is a complete toolbox for innovation process from A to Z
- each description explains why and how to use the tool
- contains advantages and as well precautions to take
- has visual demonstration by using tables, mind-maps and charts
Cons :
- available only in French, not suitable for beginners

Service Innovation (ENG)
Author : Lance A. Bettencourt
Who will like it ? Innovation or marketing experts specialized in the development of new services. This book is great inspiration for all service companies trying to create a unique customer experience.
Pros :
- has strong focus on discovering innovation opportunities
- combines author’s academic and consulting experience in service innovation
- presents number of real case practices very much focused on customer
- includes tables and maps visualizing the key concepts
Cons :
- sometimes long and unnecessary descriptions, available only in English

The Future of Management (ENG)
La Fin du management: Inventer les règles de demain (FR)
Author : Gary Hammel with Bill Breen
Who will like it ? Visionary managers, decision makers, CEOs and entrepreneurs. As author of the book said: “this book is for dreamers and doers.” One of the most inspiring books on innovation of current management models and practices.
Pros :
- its content will change your understanding of management
- includes number of real business examples of creative organizations
- presents key principles how to nourish creativity and innovate everyday
- is a book which is far ahead of its time!
Cons :
- missing visual demonstration, graphs, charts, tables, drawings

Business Model Generation (ENG)
Business Model nouvelle generation (FR)
Author : Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur and 470 practitioners from 45 countries!
Who will like it ? Game changers and challengers ready to defy outmoded business models. Book about Business Model Innovation designed for future generation of entrepreneurs.
Pros :
- has amazing visual design enabling reader to imagine and retain the content
- includes step-by-step explanations of business model innovation
- presents real case examples demonstrating different types of business models
- includes working canvas for innovation workshops and discussions
Cons :
- difficult to read in one shot like a book, it is rather an innovation handbook

Manager la créativité (FR)
Author : Thomas Paris
Who will like it ? Innovation managers and creative directors looking for inspiration from creative industries. This book describes how companies like Pixar, Hermès or Ducasse balance creativity and organization.
Pros :
- is explanation of contradiction of creative and organizational powers
- contains examples on creative talents, processes and organizations
- tells real back stage stories from creative industry
- dispels the most common prejudices on creativity
Cons :
- examples and ideas are sometimes disconnected, hard to understand the link

Six thinking hats (ENG)
Les six chapeaux de la réflexion (FR)
Author : Edward de Bono
Who will like it ? CEOs, decision makers and executive managers who facilitate team meetings and discussions on complex problems. This book describes creative and powerful method for making better decisions.
Pros :
- is detailed description of a single method and its application
- includes step-by-step explanations with tips and ideas
- contains examples of decision making discussions and questions
- can be read in 1-2 days and then applied directly
Cons :
- some parts are long and repetitive, missing visual elements

The back of the napkin (ENG)
Convaincre en deux coups de crayon – cahier d’entraînement (FR)
Author : Dan Roam
Who will like it ? Creativity practitioners, visual facilitators and managers leading group meetings and discussions. The objective of this notebook is to develop your visual thinking and drawing skills to be used in business environment.
Pros :
- has as many drawings as text explanations and instructions
- includes drawing exercises that anyone can do
- develops your visual vocabulary
- it is applicable to any kinds of idea capturing and presenting
Cons :
- missing a summary of key drawings or symbols of visual manager

As you can see, each book focuses on different part of creativity and innovation development. Which means that you need first to identify your needs and then find a book that will answer them. And if you have other good tip on creativity and innovation book, tell us what is it and why do you like it?