In the past, my writing has been good enough to get the job done for classes. However, I would like to learn to write in a way that is enjoyable to read. I know that the usual advice is to read and write more often, but I was hoping that HN would have some book suggestions to improve my prose.
What books can I read to improve my writing?
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Re: What books can I read to improve my writing?
#2[deleted]
Re: What books can I read to improve my writing?
#3"On Writing Well" by William Zinsser. Considered by many to be the best guide to non-fiction writing.
Re: What books can I read to improve my writing?
#4On Writing by Stephen King is quite good. Depending on where you'll be writing, Content Strategy for the Web by Kristina Halvorson might be useful, too.
Re: What books can I read to improve my writing?
#5On Writing by Stephen King is quite good. Depending on where you'll be writing, Content Strategy for the Web by Kristina Halvorson might be useful, too.
A great suggestion. And I'll second King's own suggestion to read The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. Though, some of its advice might be a bit dated and best used in small doses. But to will provide a great foundation.
Re: What books can I read to improve my writing?
#6"On Writing Well" by William Zinsser. Considered by many to be the best guide to non-fiction writing.
I can only agree with it. I summarized my learnings from the book, if you are interested to have a look what it is about: https://www.robinwieruch.de/lessons-learned-on-writing-well/
Re: What books can I read to improve my writing?
#7There are so many. Writing, like any other skill, can be taught and learned. Don't just practice and passively observe.
Thinking in Style, Pinker
Revising Prose, Lanham
Good Prose, Kidder
Re: What books can I read to improve my writing?
#8On Writing by Stephen King is quite good. Depending on where you'll be writing, Content Strategy for the Web by Kristina Halvorson might be useful, too.
I came here to suggest 'On Writing' as well.
Not only a great resource for improving your writing, but also a great resource for all creative processes.
Re: What books can I read to improve my writing?
#9The best book on understanding what style means: Clear and Simple as the Truth. Every other book just has confusing "this is The Correct Way", which is wrong, it all depends.
Once you understand style, either try for style they mostly talk about in that book (classical style), or if you want practical style then Revising Prose or Style: Toward Clarity and Grace are good.