Best reference books?

One that was suggested to me is The Transitive Vampire. It looks really good and came highly recommended. The author uses a large vocabulary, but it's actually fun to read, rather than just endure.
Another is the PPST reading/writing workbooks.
And the good old ACT study guides.

The old standby is Elements of Style by Strunk & White.

I'm interested if anyone has other recommendations because I would like another reference.

There's also the Chicago Manuel of Style.

Windsong said:

There's also the Chicago Manuel of Style.

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He's from Mexico, isn't he?

I use The Gregg Reference Manual, Garner's Modern American Usage and The Associated Press Stylebook. If something isn't answered by one of these, it's likely there is no answer.

This may be laughed at by some, but I find that grammar books written for middle and high schoolers is VERY helpful. Why? They keep it stupid-simple...WITH tabs. I like short, sweet, and to the point. (Okay, should that be 'is' very helpful, or 'are' very helpful, being that I'm speaking of more than one....grrrrrrrrrrr) Why can't they just have it where you write as you speak? Plus, it doesn't help that I speak European, yet write American. Woe is me.

And, yeah, Strunk & White is my old standby..standbye...stand by...[stupid word]!

I bought that Eats, Shoots, and Leaves, but found the author to be a rather pompous bitch puffed up with self importance. I'm interested in grammar, not insults and arrogance. If I wanted that, I'd simply call my step-mother.

Do I sound bitter?

*shuffles through files for voodoo priestess' phone number...step-mother exorcism apparently having worn off*

Beer is Yummy said:

The old standby is Elements of Style by Strunk & White.

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Ditto.

just got Elements of Style and the vampire book off amazon. 8 bucks for both including shipping. sound investment.