Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Lateral Thinking

Practical explanation of how creativity works

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Lateral Thinking launched in 2016; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Thinkertoys▲76

   A handbook of creative thinking techniques

   2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Thinking Outside The Box▲62

   How to Think Creatively By Applying Critical Thinking

   2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind ▲65

   A glimpse inside the minds of highly creative people

   2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Thinking: The New Science of Decision-Making, Problem-Solving, and Prediction▲66

   Original ideas that expand understanding of human thought

   2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World▲66

   Great book on explaining the value of creativity

   2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   The 46 Rules of Genius▲65

   An innovator's guide to creativity

   2016 · namecheap.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Making Ideas Happen▲75

   Overcoming the obstacles between vision and reality

   2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   The Creative Priority▲56

   Strategies for designing an organization around creativity

   2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Creative Confidence▲68

   Creativity and innovation, not just for the "creative types"

   2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Thinkertoys▲2

    A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Where Good Ideas Come From▲79

    The natural history of innovation

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Mindset▲75

    The New Psychology of Success

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Conceptual Blockbusting: A Guide to Better Ideas▲58

    A Guide to Better Problem Solving

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Tools for Thought▲69

    The history and future of mind-expanding technology

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Mindware: Tools for Smart Thinking▲77

    Solve problems by thinking more effectively

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    The Creativity Challenge▲63

    "A go-to read for the creative genius in every one"

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    The Artist's Way▲75

    A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Effective Thinking▲127

    Become more successful through better thinking

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Iconoclast▲60

    A neuroscientist reveals how to think differently

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Collaborative Intelligence▲65

    Collaboration across different modes of thinking

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    How To Create A Mind▲67

    An explanation of how computers will reach consciousness

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Thinking, Fast and Slow▲119

    A book on how the mind works and how choices are made

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Where Good Ideas Come From▲62

    The natural history of innovation

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Drawing Ideas: A Hand-Drawn Approach for Better Design▲64

    A guide for drawing to creatively share ideas

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →