<< All Blogs

Summer Reading List for Actors

By 2, July 16, 2025

Fuel Your Craft, Mind, and Spirit

Curated for artists ready to deepen their craft, expand their perspective, and step into a more powerful creative life.

Summer is the perfect time to reset, recharge, and reignite your passion for performance. Whether you're between gigs, in rehearsals, or traveling for a shoot, a great book can keep your creative fire alive. We’ve curated a robust summer reading list—categorized for clarity—that includes actor-favorite classics, inspirational reads, and mindset shifters to strengthen both your craft and confidence.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Acting Technique Classics

These are essential for every actor’s bookshelf. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for years, revisiting these foundations can unlock new insights.

Most Popular Picks

• An Actor Prepares – Stanislavski
  The grandfather of modern acting technique. A must-read that still resonates nearly a century later.
• Respect for Acting – Uta Hagen
  Hagen’s practical exercises and philosophy have shaped generations of actors.
• The Intent to Live – Larry Moss
  A go-to for actors preparing emotionally complex roles; intensely practical and inspirational.

Full List:

• An Actor Prepares – Stanislavski
• Acting The First Six Lessons – Richard Boleslavsky
• How To Stop Acting – Harold Guskin
• Method or Madness – Robert Lewis
• The Intent to Live – Larry Moss
• On the Technique of Acting – Michael Chekhov
• Respect for Acting – Uta Hagen
• The Actor Uncovered – Michael Howard
• The Art of Acting – Stella Adler
• Sanford Meisner on Acting – Sanford Meisner

Pro Tip: Pick one of these and pair it with a journal. Write down exercises to try or insights to explore in your next scene study.

Performance-Inspired Favorites

These reads blend memoir, career advice, and practical inspiration. Perfect for long commutes or decompressing at the beach.

Most Popular Picks

• The War of Art – Steven Pressfield
  A creative bible on overcoming resistance and staying committed to the work.
• The Actor's Life – Jenna Fischer
  A relatable, real-world journey from aspiring actor to working professional.
• Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert
  A favorite for artists in any discipline, especially actors navigating self-doubt.

Full List:

• The War of Art – Steven Pressfield
• Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert
• Steal Like an Artist – Austin Kleon
• The Actor's Life – Jenna Fischer
• The Present Actor: A Practical Guide – Marci Phillips
• Audition for Your Career Not the Job – Tim Phillips
• The Lucid Body – Fay Simpson
• Auditioning – Joanna Merlin
• Acting 2.0 – Anthony Abeson
• A Life in Parts – Bryan Cranston
• Truth – Susan Batson

Suggestion: Share takeaways from these books with your actor friends or class. You’ll internalize the lessons more deeply and build community.

Mind is the Builder: Mindset & Manifestation

Acting is a mental game as much as it is an emotional and physical one. These titles explore how to align your thoughts, energy, and habits for lasting success.

Most Popular Picks

• You Can Heal Your Life – Louise Hay
  A timeless book on self-worth and inner transformation—critical for anyone in a vulnerable profession like acting.
• The Power of Awareness – Neville Goddard
  A philosophical take on manifestation and belief that’s deeply influential.
• Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
  A blueprint for developing a success-oriented mindset (beyond just money).

Full List:

• You Can Heal Your Life – Louise Hay
• Outrageous Openness – Tosha Silver
• The Game of Life and How to Play It – Florence Scovel Shinn
• The Magic Path of Intuition – Florence Scovel Shinn
• The Power – Rhonda Byrne
• Creative Mind and Success – Ernest Holmes
• The Sermon on the Mount – Emmett Fox
• You Can Create an Exceptional Life – Louise Hay/Cheryl Richardson
• The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity – Catherine Ponder
• The Dynamic Laws of Healing – Catherine Ponder
• Performing Under Pressure – Saul Miller
• The Science of Getting Rich – Wallace Wattles
• How to Get What You Want – Wallace Wattles
• Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life – Bob Proctor
• The Well-lived Life – Dr. Gladys
• The Quantum Leap Strategy – Price Pritchett
• You2 – Price Pritchett
• Super Attractor – Gabrielle Bernstein
• The Universe Has Your Back – Gabrielle Bernstein
• Your Invisible Power – Genevieve Gehrend
• Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself – Dr. Joe Dispenza
• The Power of Awareness – Neville Goddard
• Lead the Field – Earl Nightingale
• As a Man Thinketh including the Mastery of Destiny – James Allen
• The Secret That's Holding You Back – Vincent Genna
• Working with The Law: Truth Principles for Successful Living – Raymond Holliwell
• Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Daily Ritual: Start your day by reading a few pages from one of these and reflecting on how it applies to your creative journey.

Final Thoughts: Build Your Summer Stack

Think of this list not as homework—but as nourishment. Acting requires presence, courage, and an open heart. These books can help you cultivate all three. Whether you’re brushing up your technique, redefining your goals, or simply seeking creative motivation, there’s something here for every stage of your journey.

Your Challenge: Pick one book from each category to complete by the end of summer. Let the words of master teachers, visionaries, and working actors guide your next chapter.

Happy reading—and happy creating!
#ActorLife #SummerReads #ReadForTheRole