- 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
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea.
Not just a blog, a philosophy
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
I’ll look for it…
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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!
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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.
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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).
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It’s the etymology which most interests me.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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That’s how I bought it, only I didn’t know it existed until I saw it.
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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!
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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.
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Agreed, Whether Chicago, AP or whatever, we all need one. Great post
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Thank you!!
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Yay for reference books! 😀
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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!!
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