[.ca] Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style (ISBN 0375722270)

Fun Read:
The title,well one can forgive that. Inside is some sharp advice and perceptions that make about 5/6 of the book an entertaining read. It's one of these books where we learn a bit (the hyphenated modifiers in a row are called Teutonicisms)and where we enjoy a bit (Plotnik gives examples from literature to make his energetic points). I also learned about a couple of new word resources -- don't go nuts he only lists a few. The book, unlike what Billy Collins puffs for the blurb, is not necessary on every writer's shelf. It's more the sort of light read that interests those interested by grammar, like Eats, Shoots, and Leaves or anything by William Safire. The final few chapters flatten, as though the publisher said, we need just a few more chapters to make our page count. I wouldn't recommend rushing out to buy it, but if you see it and are in the mood it will give a good grammatical back rub.