Eats, Shoots & Leaves
I read (sorry, re-read) Lynne Truss' Eats, Shoots & Leaves.
This is a book of awesome, not just because I'm a grammar-stickler who huffs in annoyance at misplaced apostrophes. Well, maybe partly. But the thing is, Truss is deft and funny; she takes what could be another dull manual of style and makes it into a swift, hilarious read. Also, it comes with stickers of apostrophes (or alternately, commas, depending on placement) and other marks that you can use to help along the signs that were not...well punctuated.
This book does outline some of the main grammatical rules for punctuation, but that's not where it is truly a good read: the book is also full of humorous anecdotes, wry jokes (often at her own expense), and lots of commentary on all sorts of things relating to punctuation. There's a section in the middle, where Truss records some of the awful apostrophe use alone, and it is rib-cracking. There are Truss' comments beside the especially interesting ones, and I love the way she uses the text itself to underline what she's saying.
In all: funny beyond belief, a boon to grammar people like me, and a very humorous commentary on the state of punctuation (the condition, not the place). Worth every penny. 10/10
*Also, to whoever made the title: I admire your skill in avoiding the Oxford comma drama by using the ampersand. Well done. :)
This is a book of awesome, not just because I'm a grammar-stickler who huffs in annoyance at misplaced apostrophes. Well, maybe partly. But the thing is, Truss is deft and funny; she takes what could be another dull manual of style and makes it into a swift, hilarious read. Also, it comes with stickers of apostrophes (or alternately, commas, depending on placement) and other marks that you can use to help along the signs that were not...well punctuated.
This book does outline some of the main grammatical rules for punctuation, but that's not where it is truly a good read: the book is also full of humorous anecdotes, wry jokes (often at her own expense), and lots of commentary on all sorts of things relating to punctuation. There's a section in the middle, where Truss records some of the awful apostrophe use alone, and it is rib-cracking. There are Truss' comments beside the especially interesting ones, and I love the way she uses the text itself to underline what she's saying.
In all: funny beyond belief, a boon to grammar people like me, and a very humorous commentary on the state of punctuation (the condition, not the place). Worth every penny. 10/10
*Also, to whoever made the title: I admire your skill in avoiding the Oxford comma drama by using the ampersand. Well done. :)