9 Grammar Books You’ll Actually Enjoy Reading

"Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style" by Benjamin Dreyer

Benjamin Dreyer knows grammar. He has decades of copyediting experience with hundreds of books. With sharp, biting wit he walks you through myriad grammar and punctuation rules. His approach is down-to-earth and relatable, making this a fantastic book for anyone who wants to improve their writing for any reason. Even better, if you like his style and want to share his grammar expertise with your friends, you can get Stet! Dreyer’s English: A Game for Language Lovers, Grammar Geeks, and Bibliophiles.

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"Have You Eaten Grandma?: Or, the Life-saving Importance of Correct Punctuation, Grammar, and Good English" by Gyles Brandreth

Gyles Brandreth knows you can save grandma’s life with a comma. Brandreth is a grammar guru and the guest with the most appearances on Countdown’s Dictionary Corner. But he uses his experience as a performer to full use in this delightful novel on everything you’re getting wrong about grammar and how to fix it. If you can’t envision grammar as humorous and entertaining, we dare you to read this book and not crack a smile. Plus, by the end, you’ll find out why Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses. Everyone needs to know that.

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"Rebel With a Clause: Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian" by Ellen Jovin

Ellen Jovin once set up a grammar table outside of her Manhattan apartment to find out what people wanted to know. Turns out, it was a lot. Her Grammar Table was so popular, she landed on the radar of notable publications like The New York Times and NPR. After traveling the country, she’s bringing you the final word on everything from the Oxford comma to semicolonphobia. Sprinkled with the lively grammar arguments of small towns all over the country, this is the perfect book to vindicate all of your grammar struggles and how common they actually are.

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"Kiss My Asterisk: A Feisty Guide to Punctuation and Grammar" by Jenny Baranick

Grammar should be fun. At least, that’s what English professor Jenny Baranick believes. She set out to write a book about grammar that was fun, funny, and maybe a little risqué. Kiss My Asterisk avoids getting tangled in technical jargon, instead focusing on highlighting grammar in a way everyone can relate to. Baranick prefers to illustrate her points through tongue-in-cheek innuendo, which won’t work for everyone. But if you’d love a grammar lesson that feels like it’s taken out of your favorite episode of Sex and the City, this book is definitely for you.

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"Grammar Snobs are Big Meanies: A Guide to Language for Fun and Spite" by June Casagrande

No one likes a grammar snob. Maybe we didn’t get the wording right. Or we used the wrong punctuation. But when you get shamed for some obscure rule you’re not even sure is real, it’s natural to look for vindication. And June Casagrande wants to vindicate you. She’s here to tell you that half the grammar rules you’re being lectured on are more preferences that hard-and-fast rules. And sometimes they’re not real at all. With chapters titled things like, Hyphens—Life-Sucking, Mom-and-Apple-Pie-Hating, Mime-Loving, and Nerd-Fight-Inciting Daggers of the Damned, it’s clear that she’s on your side. This is a book to help improve your grammar, but she also thinks the snobs are a bit ridiculous. And if you like her style, she has more books to help fight your way to better communication.

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"Highly Irregular: Why Tough, Through, And Dough Don’t Rhyme—And Other Oddities of the English Language" by Arika Okrent

Sometimes the most frustrating things about grammar come from the odd rules that seem to come out of nowhere. They defy logic, causing you to spend way too much time trying to Google the origins of spellings or why certain phrases evolved the way they did. Arika Okrent has researched the history of English and found answers to all the linguistic oddities that may have sparked arguments and confusion throughout your life. From invading French armies to Flemish printers who refused to compromise, you’ll walk away with a better understanding and deeper appreciation for the always messy, often complicated English language.

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"English Is Not Easy: A Visual Guide to the Language" by Luci Gutiérrez

To stay focused during English classes, Barcelona-based illustrator Luci Gutiérrez drew her notes. Her drawings helped her remember the rules of grammar through fun characters who had snarky commentary and were often insulting. While this can serve as a fun refresher on the basic rules of English, the illustrations can be a bit salacious, and the content is aimed for adults learning the English language. That said, it’s an amusing guide and the illustrations make it perfect for quick references along with a laugh. 

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"The Giggly Guide to Grammar: Serious Grammar with a Sense of Humor" by Cathy Campbell

Aimed at students, but delightful for adults, The Giggly Guide to Grammar combines the crucial elements of Strunk and White with the whimsy of Shel Silverstein. The result is an easy-to-read book covering the very serious rules of grammar in a not-so-serious way. It might seem too childish to be taken seriously, but it was designed by a teacher and has rave reviews. It’s perfect for parents, teachers, or anyone just looking to polish their grammar skills without being forced to grow up.

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"The Grammar Devotional: Daily Tips for Successful Writing from Grammar Girl (Quick & Dirty Tips)" by Mignon Fogarty

Grammar Girl is the grammar expert. And she’s breaking her expertise down into 365 tips and tricks to help you master grammar. This book is meant to be used daily with lessons and reminders, and a variety of puzzles and games to help solidify what you’ve learned. But there’s also a reference guide in the back, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for no matter what. Fogarty also produces the highly acclaimed podcast, Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. And if you like her style, she has over a dozen books and a few daily calendars covering everything grammar related. 

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