Our ongoing series of rockers talking about literary works continues with Rachael Yamagata, who took time out before a recent NYC gig to talk about one of her favorite books, novelist Steven Pressfield's 2003 foray into self-help, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles. Pressfield, who wrote popular novels like The Legend of Bagger Vance and Tides of War, offers guidance for anyone trying to maximize their creative potential.

"The book is specific and ruthless in identifying the very ways we procrastinate, trip ourselves up, sabotage our efforts, indulge in distractions and even misdiagnose the source of our unhappiness," Yamagata says. "There is a sense of humor to the writing and a coaching quality to it that I really like and I've reread it many a time."

Watch the video and find out more about The War of Art's influence on Rachael's life and career.

Watch: Rachael Yamagata