Books like Thinkertoys

Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko reads as instructive, playful. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

The Power of Focused Thinking

Edward de Bono · 1981

Both explore creativity & innovation

65% genome match

Whack On the Side of the Head

Roger Von Oech · 1973

Both explore creativity & innovation

68% genome match

Applied Imagination

Alex Faickney Osborn · 1953

Both explore creativity & innovation

68% genome match

Creative Confidence

Tom Kelley · 2013

Both explore creativity & innovation

74% genome match

I could do anything if I only knew what it was

Barbara Sher · 1994

Both explore creativity

68% genome match

Hey, Whipple, squeeze this

Luke Sullivan · 2008

Both explore creativity

70% genome match

Mind Maps at Work

Tony Buzan · 2004

Both explore creativity & mind mapping

69% genome match

Building a Second Brain

Tiago Forte · 2022

Both explore creativity

63% genome match

Everybody Writes

Ann Handley · 2014

Same business feel

64% genome match

Built to Last

Collins, James C. · 1994

Both explore innovation

64% genome match

The art of thinking clearly

Rolf Dobelli · 2013

Same self-help feel

62% genome match

Entrepreneurship

Bruce R. Barringer · 2004

Both explore innovation

64% genome match