Here’s the next installment in my, “Books Off the Shelf” series. This one is a bit different than the ones I have done in the past, but worth looking at nonetheless. This series is a grouping of some short book reviews on books quite literally off my bookshelves—books I’ve read or listened to. There is a world of books out there. More than anyone could get to in a lifetime. As my favorite mug states so succinctly, “So Many Books, So Little Time”. I will attempt to give you an idea on some books you might enjoy or not enjoy quite as much without ruining it with too many spoilers.
I’m also giving the books a one to ten rating with ten being amazingly the best (or one of the best) books I have ever read and you need to go home sick to buy and read this book without delay and a one being please don’t bother even looking at the cover of this drivel. Say What? The Fiction Writer's Handy Guide to Grammar, Punctuation, and Word Usage by C.S. Lakin Rating 9 out of 10 Great writers write well. Grammatical errors mark a manuscript as unprofessional and the author as sloppy or an amateur. But you don’t have to memorize the myriad of grammar, punctuation, and usage rules to have a well-written book. If you’re a novelist or write creative nonfiction, this handy guide is essential—giving you the most common and applicable rules and tips to make your book shine—minus the pain! Inside you’ll find: •Short, concise, and often humorous explanations of important grammar, punctuation, and word usage rules as featured on the award-winning blog Live Write Thrive. •Bonus fiction-writing tips to help you tighten your prose and say what you mean in fewer, more appropriate words. •Easy-to-navigate sections and a comprehensive index so you can find the answer to your grammar question right away. Whether you’re a novice or experienced writer, you’ll benefit from these clear and helpful explanations of grammar and usage based on The Chicago Manual of Style—the US book publishing industry’s authoritative reference guide. You no longer need to search the web or thumb through a stack of grammar books to find simple answers to your grammar questions. With Say What? at your fingertips, you’ll spend less time fretting over grammar and more time writing. And you’ll become a better writer in the process! OK, so like I said above, this is not a book a would traditionally review. It is nonfiction for crying-out-loud. There’s no plot line, no characters, no twists. What’s the deal, Ryan? The deal is that this book is awesome. Every writer, fiction or not, blogger, college essay writer, or journalist is faced with the sometimes excruciating minutia that is the English language. Don’t get me wrong. I love language. I love the spiraling, winding path of words. Still, every writer has their particular struggles of how to use given punctuation or word choice. Lakin offers an easy solution to these struggles. As the old saying states, “You have to know the rule, and then you can break it, but know the rule first.” SAY WHAT? gives the easy access to the “rule” and sometimes offers acceptable ways to break that rule. All in all, it’s a fun read and a great resource to anyone wading into the uncertain waters of the English language. Check it out. As always, if you have suggestions of books to review, please let me know. If it is Science Fiction or especially Fantasy, there is a good chance it is on my shelf or should be. And if you would like to be the first to hear about other great books and updates on my own writing, along with free giveaways, I would love for you to sign up on the right. |
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