- Title: The Associated Press Stylebook Fully Revised and Updated
- Year Published: 2004 (The Associated Press)
- Year Purchased: 2004
- Source: Writer’s Digest Book Club
- About: I am not a journalist. When I write non-fiction (which is most of the time), it is always of the creative variety. I still appreciate good form, however. I believe every writer should have a fat arsenal of reference books, including one style guide. This is mine. I use it more than I anticipated, much like fractions. The part of my brain that appreciates orderliness considers this book a necessity, and well worth every penny. The creative part doesn’t give two figs. Fortunately, on most days they enjoy a mutually productive collaboration. Yay for cooperation-and the AP Stylebook.
- Motivation: I love reference books. I regularly sing their praises here; you’re probably already sick of my fan-girl like devotion to the genre.
- Times Read: Used only as a reference book.
- Random Excerpt/Page vii: “Today, the 21st-century Associated Press has become the essential global news network. And the AP Stylebook has become the essential tool for anyone who cares about good writing.”
- Happiness Scale: 7
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I’ll look for it…
I really think it is worth it. Every writer should have a style book. Even those of us who are not journalists. I don’t consult it daily (or weekly), but it is quite handy at times!
I’ve got lots of reference books, but I find the only two I ever really dip into are the OED, and Usage and Abusage.
I have something of a mania for reference books. I read them like other people read novels. But, like you, I only regularly use a few (for their intended purpose).
It’s the etymology which most interests me.
I’m interested in that aspect, too. One of the reasons I love my Forgotten English 365 calendar (which I buy every year) is because of the etymology angle to most entries. I love learning how such obscure words came to be/evolved.
There’s a great book by Peter Silverton called Filthy English, which looks at all the profanity, its origins, the psychology of using it, and its sociopolitical quirks.
I’ll check it out when I can. I own a copy of ‘Swearing’ by Geoffrey Hughes. I had no idea that more than one book was written on the subject.
I don’t know it, but I’ll file it in my mind’s deep cavern of will-get-there books and buy it when it appears in front of me.
That’s how I bought it, only I didn’t know it existed until I saw it.
My copy of the AP Stylebook is dog eared and worn to a frazzle, more loose pages than attached I think. As a reader, I just wish more writers used any style book!
I don’t use it daily (or weekly) but I think that EVERY writer should use a style book. Or at least own one. Reference books are such an important part of any professional’s arsenal.
Agreed, Whether Chicago, AP or whatever, we all need one. Great post
Thank you!!
Yay for reference books!
You probably know, at this point, how much I LOVE reference books. Ever since I was 5 years old! They give me such warm fuzzies!!