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1. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. - If you do not have this book, or have never heard of it, you are not a writer. Very few rules are hard and fast in writing, but this is about as close as youll get to them. Everyone has this book. In writing circles, its often referred to as the little book, because its the tiniest books youll ever have on your how-to-write