Book #7: Imagine: How Creativity Works – The Book That Broke My Reading Slump (Barely)

Last Updated on April 21, 2025 by Work In My Pajamas

You know that feeling when your brain just… refuses to cooperate? That was me for the better part of this book. It sat on my table, silently judging me while I scrolled Instagram and convinced myself watching dog videos counted as “mental rest.” But I finally cracked it open, and once I did, wow—this one’s a gem.

Written by Jonah Lehrer (controversial author, yes—but let’s focus on the ideas here), Imagine dives deep into the science of creativity. It answers questions we’ve all asked ourselves like:

“Where do good ideas actually come from?”
“Why do my best thoughts show up mid-shampoo?”
“Is it normal to get brilliant ideas only after my third coffee?”

Lehrer says yes. Well, kind of. Turns out creativity isn’t some mysterious, mythical force that blesses a chosen few while the rest of us suffer through writer’s block and bad karaoke lyrics. It’s a learnable, trainable process rooted in how your brain works.

So What Did I Learn While Imagining?

Creativity thrives on contrast. You need both structured thinking and chaotic brainstorming. Think spreadsheets + scribbles on napkins.

Breakthroughs often come after giving up. That’s right—quitting (momentarily) is productive! Ever solved a problem in your sleep or while zoning out? That’s your subconscious doing the heavy lifting while you pretend to fold laundry.

Cities breed creativity. Crowded, chaotic places actually help creative ideas flourish because of the mix of people, problems, and perspectives. So if you’re stuck creatively, maybe you just need a walk through a noisy street… or at least a crowded grocery aisle.

Failure is the warm-up act. Many of the most creative minds fail a lot before striking gold. The takeaway? Don’t fear flops—just learn to flop with flair.

Favorite Bits from the Book

• Bob Dylan wrote Like a Rolling Stone after storming off the road and locking himself in a house. So, if you’re creatively blocked, maybe what you need is more drama.
• The people behind Swiffer created it after watching someone clean with a paper towel taped to a broomstick. Moral of the story: genius hides in lazy hacks.
• Brainstorming as a group? Meh. Lehrer says people generate more ideas solo, then improve them with others. So go ahead—be anti-social for productivity.

Why It Took Me So Long to Read

Honestly? I was in a reading slump. Some books fly by in two sittings. This one was more of a slow burn—partly because the info is dense at times and partly because my brain was craving naps and Netflix. But once I got into the groove, I couldn’t stop underlining things and mumbling, “That’s so true.”

It’s the kind of book that makes you feel smarter while also giving you permission to stare into space and call it “deep creative work.” Which is a win, if you ask me.

Now that my creativity has been resuscitated and my reading mojo is back in action, I’m diving into a totally different kind of challenge: changing how I eat…

(Scroll down to see what’s cooking—spoiler: it’s not cheese fries. Yet.)

On to Book #8: Allen Carr’s Easy Way for Women to Lose Weight

Okay, so I don’t usually do the “New Year, New Me” thing. I’m more of a “New Year, same snacks, just trying to sleep more” kind of person. But lately? I’ve been feeling tired, sluggish, and a bit more ‘round’ than I’d like.

So when I saw Allen Carr had a book called Easy Way for Women to Lose Weight, I figured—why not?

After all, I quit smoking with his other book (The Easy Way to Stop Smoking), and that was some mind-blowing Jedi-level psychology. If he can rewire my brain to drop cigarettes, maybe he can help me stop acting like a cheese gremlin after 9 p.m.

I’m curious to see if this book will be all “love yourself into better choices” or “look deep into your emotional snacking void.” Either way, I’m in.

Stay tuned for my thoughts—especially if you, too, have ever eaten peanut butter straight out of the jar and called it “dinner.”