Jonamun asked for us to share the books we go to most for help and advice on reading -- I have two favorites, each quite different from the other.

The first is Bird By Bird (1994) by Anne Lamott. Look for no dry discussions on technique or style here. Lamott offers a friendly banquet designed to help the reader find motivation, open up to wonder (as a small child is open to the world), listen to one's subconscious, find other writers for the sake of companionship & mutual support, and, most importantly, to accept oneself: neurosis, quirks, and all. Self-acceptance and the crucial role of humor in artistic survival(not to mention personal sanity) are among the main themes of the book. Along the way Lamott manages to be both touching and funny as hell.

The tone is rather drier in John Gardner's 1983 volume, The Art of Fiction, and rather more serious, influenced by his career as a professor of creative writing and literature. Don't let that frighten you away. The book is full of excellent advice and discussion not only on technique, but on what good writing is, and the unique challenges faced by those who desire to write well. This book is a must for anyone working towards publication.