By Mignon Fogarty and Erwin Haya
Henry Holt and Co., $12.99, 304 pages
ISBN 9780805089448

Let’s face it: The English language is confusing. There are all sorts of rules, except when the rules don’t apply, or there are exceptions, or things just plain don’t match. Who can keep it all straight? Grammar Girl can! Mignon Fogarty is best known for her Grammar Girl podcasts, and here she’s complied all sorts of useful tips, tricks, rules (and their exceptions), myths, and other information into a comprehensive writing guide. Its intended audience is students, but honestly, this is a great writing guide for any person who occasionally needs help with their writing.

The tone of the book is fun and easy to read, and not at all what you would expect from a grammar book. The quick and dirty tips sprinkled throughout make this a great reference guide, and the pop quizzes help teach and reinforce concepts. The examples are easy to understand (and sometimes a little fun), so you won’t ever get “affect” and “effect” confused again. This is one of the best writing guides out there, and you simply cannot beat the price tag for what you’re getting. Highly recommended for students, veteran writers, or anyone who needs more help with their writing.

Reviewed by Alyssa Feller