5 Books to Strengthen Your Skills

Read this article about reading about writing

Every good writer was born from reading. The best writers aren’t just putting in time at the computer but also learning and developing through reading. Reading shapes our understanding of language, tone, and structure in ways that direct writing practice alone cannot accomplish.

Charlie Munger said life is better when we “make friends with the eminent dead with the right ideas.” This is what reading cultivates. When we read the works of great thinkers and storytellers, we’re not just entertained; we're learning. We start to notice the rhythm of their sentences, their choices of words, and what makes their ideas stick. Over time, these insights seep into our writing, helping us develop a voice and sharpen our craft.

Of course, there’s also immense value in reading books specifically about writing. Certain works have become timeless guides for anyone serious about improving their skills. I revisit these books repeatedly for techniques, encouragement, and clarity when I need it most. Below are five go-to resources that continue to shape how I think about and approach writing.

Photo courtesy of LTC Geracitano.

1. Bird by Bird. Anne Lamott cuts to the heart of what it means to write. Her honesty is refreshing. She doesn’t glamorize publication or success but puts a mirror to the reader’s face, asking them if they really enjoy writing. One of my favorite parts of the book is her reference to a line from the movie Cool Runnings, in which the Jamaican bobsled coach told his team: “If you’re not good enough without (a gold medal), you won’t be good enough with it.” The same goes for publishing. If your purpose for writing is to be published, you won’t be fulfilled once you are. Lamott’s mix of humor, transparency, and grounded insight make this a must-read for writers at any stage.

2. On Writing. Even if you’re not into fiction, Stephen King’s On Writing is worth picking up. King candidly shares his rise to literary fame with bits of advice sprinkled throughout. Written while recovering from injuries after being struck by a reckless driver, King shows us the importance of using paragraphs, editing, rewriting, and letting projects sit for six weeks before revisiting them. This last piece is something I have implemented, although I’m not strict with the six-week timeline. Giving your work some distance allows you to detach from what you meant to say and see what’s on the page. When you return to it after some time, it never seems as good as you thought. This fresh perspective will help jump-start the editing process, strengthening your work.

3. Several Short Sentences About Writing. This book’s unique formatting makes it a quick read, as almost every sentence stands on its own as a paragraph. At first, it feels odd, but there’s a purpose behind it. Verlyn Klinkenborg does this to purposefully show how sentences should be written to stand on their own and not need the support of their neighbors. He challenges the way many of us were taught to write, especially in academic environments, and encourages a style that’s sharper, deliberate, and suited for the real world. Reading this book shifted how I think about sentence construction. I have used this technique before (and I should do it more often) of separating each sentence on its own line and continuously making it shorter and self-sufficient. It works. Although, it takes some time to get used to. This isn’t a book that gives you a step-by-step guide. Instead, it provides a new pair of glasses that can be hard to remove.

4. Writing Without Teachers. Many other authors reference this book, so I felt compelled to try it. In it, Peter Elbow goes into great detail on free writing and how to compose a piece from there. Free writing can be a game changer for many aspiring writers. It's a zero-barrier entry point to getting started. The only requirement is to write without stopping for a set amount of time-typically 10 minutes. For me, the most challenging part of this technique is going back through these long-form passages and extracting extrinsic value. Even if nothing worthwhile emerges, free writing can be therapeutic and facilitates reflection. Much of this book also discusses how to form and conduct writing groups. While this might not be what you’re looking for, it is still an excellent resource for writers at any stage.

5. On Writing Well. I came upon William Zinsser’s book by chance, thinking the title was a rip-off of Stephen King’s. To my surprise, it was written decades before King’s and provides advice across a broad array of genres, from journalism to fiction to travel writing. Like King, Zinsser draws on numerous examples of excellent writing from prolific authors and deconstructs them. He does this for his own writing, too, sharing why he took the approach he did. The result is a book full of actionable advice, whether just starting or trying to sharpen your voice, and yet another companion on your shelf.

So how can you balance all of this—reading, writing, reflection—amidst daily responsibilities and family obligations? The truth is, you can’t do it all. But you can do a little each day, which adds up.

Don’t overthink it, just get started. Read a few pages while waiting in the carpool line. Jot down a paragraph while your coffee brews. Keep books or notebooks readily available. I have books scattered around my house, ready to be picked up when a pocket of time opens. Five minutes can turn into ten pages. A half-hour of writing can turn into a habit.

Whether reading to learn or writing to process your thoughts, what matters is showing up.

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John Geracitano is a U.S. Army Signal officer and LTG(R) Dubik Writing Fellow currently serving as a doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.