During our weekly Books & Such staff meeting last Friday, I mentioned that there are two books that should be considered a must-read for all of our clients. I confessed that for thirteen or fourteen years I reread these books every single year. Because it’s been a while since I read them, I just pulled them out and put them on my to-be-read pile once again.
So what are these must-read books, you ask?
The first book I’m assigning is one I encountered as a seventeen-year-old in English 1A at San Jose State many, many years ago. My professor, Dr. Scott Rice, (who also created the infamous Bulwer-Lytton Prize for the worst opening sentence in a book) referred to it as “Strunk and White.” The real title is Elements of Style, only I still call it “Strunk and White.” It’s only 3/8″ thick— a treasure of succinct writing wisdom.
It was first written by William Strunk, Jr., a professor at Cornell University as a textbook for his students. E. B. White was one of those students in 1919. Little did they guess that, thirty-eight years after they met, White would take that little textbook and turn it into this classic. Most of you probably don’t remember E. B. White as the editor of the “Notes and Comments” page of The New Yorker, but I’m guessing we all know him for Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little.
So what do others say about this first must-read? The New York Times said, “Buy it, study it, enjoy it. It’s as timeless as a book can be in our age of volubility.” Charles Osgood wrote, “. . .still a little book, small enough and important enough to carry in your pocket, as I do mine.” The New Yorker said, “The work remains a nonpareil; direct, correct, and delightful.
The second book that is a must-read is On Writing Well, by William Zinsser. Library Journal wrote, “Not since The Elements of Style has there been a guide to writing as well presented and readable as this one. A love and respect for the language is evident on every page.” I agree. I’ve given away so many copies I keep getting later and later editions. This one is the thirtieth anniversary edition, revised in 2006 with more than a million books sold.
Zinsser, who died in 2015 at the age of 92, wrote seventeen books, taught at Yale, New York’s New School and at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Quite a Curriculum Vitae, right?
So that’s it. That’s our assignment. Read these two books every year, no matter how long you’ve been writing. And if you’ve read them, give us a testimonial in the comments below.
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We have both these books on our school shelf. And I call it Strunk and White, too! 😊
Your children are all the richer for it.
These are top-shelf books. I remember reading, “The Elements of Style,” for the first time and wondering, where have you been all my life? I couldn’t believe such a gem of a book had escaped my notice until the age of 40! Zinsser is terrific too. Anyone writing a memoir may also be interested in his book, “Writing about your life.” Highly informative and enjoyable.
Thanks for the recommendation, Lynne.
As a former journalist and English teacher, I add my hearty AMEN.
Profuse apologies in advance, but I couldn’t resist.
I really, really have to pick
this from my to-read pile,
and must then resolve to stick
to “Elements of Style”,
for Barb says I’m a fashion menace,
dressed by passing wolverines,
wearing shirt made just for tennis
along with cutoff jeans.
I’m sure that Strunk will lend a hand
and maybe save the day,
teaching me to understand
that fashion isn’t play,
and honestly, who woulda thunk
this comes from one who rhymes with skunk?
You’re definitely stylin’ today, Andrew. (In spite of the skunk/strunk)
Those books have been gathering dust on my shelf for years. I’ll take your advice and read them again.
I actually bought On Writing Well because of staring at the recommendations page on the Books & Such website years ago. I think it was actually before you guys started blogging, back when I would just come to the website to see if any new book recommendations had been given or if perhaps the submissions page had changed or your article on how to choose an agent. I loved the book, but was also completely overwhelmed by how much I had to learn. I should definitely reread it to see if I notice things I did not before. Despite the fact that The Elements of Style was definitely also recommended on your page, I did not get it as I am somewhat terrified of all things grammar. I purchased Woe Is I instead as the back copy said it was easy to understand, ha! I will have to give it a try now, though.
Yes, I’ve read both of these excellent books a couple of times but after reading this I realize, I better get back to reading them again!
Hi Wendy! Thank you for posting these book recommendations. I haven’t read these since college, but I’ll start this week! I’m excited to read them.
I own both, and both are on the shelf closest to my desk — and yet I neglect them. Thanks, Wendy, for the push to work through them yet again.
I call it “Strunk & White” also. Have my copy on the bookshelf behind me. Perhaps that dates us!
Oh, no, Kelly, it is a classic. Forever young, like us.
Oh, I like that!
Strunk & White! First semester, freshman year, Journalism 001 (or whatever that first course was called). I gave copies to my kids when they headed off to college. A must-have. Cannot believe I’ve not read “On Writing Well,” and will order a copy forthwith.