People regularly ask me what books on creativity I recommend. After all, the titles on the topic are plentiful. After having read several meters of books on creative thinking and innovation, I can assure you the following are 5 titles you will not regret reading.

1. Making Ideas Happen, Scott Belsky

Generating an abundance of creative ideas is one thing… but as any creative will tell you: making those ideas happen is a whole different story. In this book Scott Belsky (founder and CEO of Behance) helps you to create order in the ever-growing list of action steps that is a logical consequence of being creative.

2. The Art of Innovation, Tom Kelley

In this book Tom Kelley, general manager at the famous design agency IDEO, describes how human-centered design is essential when you want to innovate. Reading how IDEO works will teach you (among other things) the value of observation, empathy, rapid prototyping and creating the right environment for innovation.

3. The Power of Positive Deviance, Richard Pascale & Jerry and Monique Sternin

The Positive Deviance (PD) approach is as simple as it is brilliant; instead of focussing on the problem, find the positive exceptions. It’s these exceptions that often hold the key to remarkable solutions. The Power of Positive Deviance tells the amazing story of Jerry and Monique Sternin and explains why and how the PD method works. The book contains some incredible supporting case studies.

4.  The Myth of Innovation, Scott Berkun

In this new paperback edition of the classic bestseller, you'll be taken on a hilarious, fast-paced ride through the history of ideas. Scott Berkun will show you how to transcend the false stories that many business experts, scientists, and much of pop culture foolishly use to guide their thinking about how ideas change the world.

5. Creative Confidence, Tom Kelly and David Kelly

Too often, companies and individuals assume that creativity and innovation are the domain of the "creative types."  But two of the leading experts in innovation, design, and creativity on the planet show us that each and every  one of us is creative.  In an incredibly entertaining and inspiring narrative that draws on countless stories from their work, David and Tom Kelley identify the principles and strategies that will allow us to tap into our creative potential in our work lives, and in our personal lives, and allow us to innovate in terms of how we approach and solve problems.  It is a book that will help each of us be more productive and successful in our lives and in our careers.