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Recommended reading

There are hundreds of books on writing: how to write for the web; how to punctuate; how to communicate more effectively; how to be a copywriter; how to improve your grammar; and how to write shorter sentences.

As with any field that remedies a lack in general education and answers a business need, there is a lot of conflicting advice from writers with varying standards and different motives. Here's a list of the some of the most useful books around; written simply, using good examples. Some are also quite funny.

All of these books should be available from the Amazon website. Please let us know if you have any books that you would like to recommend, and why.
Oxford dictionary of English
Publisher Oxford University Press ISBN 0198613474
Often considered the best English language reference book for most writers; gives examples of usage and includes many recent additions to the language (previously called the Oxford English Dictionary).
The Chambers Dictionary
Publisher Chambers ISBN 055010013X
The preferred dictionary for Scrabble players includes more rare and archaic words than the Oxford dictionary, with shorter definitions.
Usage and Abusage: A Guide to Good English
Eric Partridge, Janet Whitcut (editor)
Publisher Penguin Books ISBN 0140514422
Another classic among editors and writers, this helps avoid bad grammar and vague writing; with some useful examples to help clarify any disputes.
Mind the Gaffe: The Penguin Guide to Common Errors in English
R. L.Trask
Publisher Penguin Books ISBN 0140514767
Often found on the desks of editors, this book covers the most common mistakes found in copy (even when written by experienced professionals).
Hot Text: Web Writing That Works
Jonathan Price, Lisa Price
Publisher New Riders ISBN 0735711518
A comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide to web writing, with plenty of examples and explanations.
The Elements of Style
William I. Strunk, E.B. White (editor)
Publisher Allyn and Bacon ISBN 020530902X
An American book, which offers examples that some UK writers could disagree with. However, it's a very good introduction to the purpose of writing and how to influence readers.
Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Lynne Truss
Publisher Profile Books ISBN 1861976127
A publishing phenomenon: an educational read for all ages and language levels that is also funny. You don't have to be an editor, teacher or journalist to enjoy Lynne's attack on the poor use of commas and apostrophes in today's society. A quick and easy read that's likely to change your writing standards forever.
Fowler's Modern English Usage
Henry Fowler
Publisher Oxford University Press ISBN 0198605064
A classic book that some consider old-fashioned and less helpful than many of the slimmer, easier-to-use books (suggested above).
Craft of Copywriting
Alistair Compton
Publisher Random House Business Books ISBN 0220670064
A great introduction to the basic principles of persuasive writing, as used in advertising. Often the first book any new copywriter reads and used by many established copywriters to keep their thinking fresh. Can be difficult to find; possibly out of print.
The Mind Map Book: Radiant Thinking
Tony Buzan, Barry Buzan
Publisher BBC Consumer Publishing (Books) ISBN 0563487011
Mind Maps have become a common thinking tool in the workplace: helping people to improve memory, concentration and creativity. There are quite a few books (most of them by Mind Map creator, Tony Buzan) that discuss the technique; this offers the best introduction to Mind Maps, how to make them, and how to use them.

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