Everyone has their favorites, but some books aimed toward teaching the art and craft of writing are pure classics. These books belong on every writer's shelf or eBook reader, and should be reread at least once a year, if not sooner. Some of them are inspirational, while others teach nuts and bolts. All of them, though, will make you a better writer for having read them.
- Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation Not just a dry grammar tutorial, this book keeps your interest while teaching you about the best grammar roles for every writer.
- On Writing This book by Stephen King has taken on an almost mythical vibe among some fiction writers. While not the perfect book on the art of writing, it's filled with good rules to follow, mixed in with some personal stories that will interest King fans.
- On Writing Well If ever there was a bible for non-fiction writers, this book is it. It gets you through every step of the writing process, no matter what your subject matter.
- Writing Down the Bones If you want to write the Great American Novel, this book isn't for you. But if you want to get better at the act of writing itself, it's required reading. It's a Zen study and practice piece for authors.
- What if? A practical writing guide book, it's filled with 75 writing exercises and instruction on how to write like a writer and think like a writer. Great instructions on dialog, and a classic on doing the beginning and end of your story.
- The AP Stylebook The classic reference on accepted grammar forms. Every writer will eventually need this book.
- The War of Art Inspiration on channeling your inner energy into productive art. For any writer who suffers from self-doubt, foggy thinking, or writer's block. In other words, every writer, eventually.
- Bird by Bird A great nuts and bolts instruction book on creating a book from awful first draft to final polished product. This book includes great instructions on being a writer, including jealousy, writer's groups, and writer's block.
- The Elements of Style No, no one's going to skip this one on a list of best writer's books. Almost 100 years old, this book is the absolute writing standard for anyone who wants to create books, or just express themselves clearly through writing.
- Zen in the Art of Writing While most writing books tend toward the dry, the serious, and the mournful (especially when talking about writer's block), Ray Bradbury has produced a book full of joy and excitement. Being a writer is the greatest occupation in the world, and he wants to share his enthusiasm about it with everyone. You can't help but feel better about your writing career after reading this book.
Keep the Faith and may the Force be with You!