Want to brush up on the canon of great books? Get some guidance from those in the know!

The Well-Educated Mind

Great Books

The New Lifetime Reading Plan

Books that Changed the World

...in the immortal words of Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross. No matter what sale you're closing, these books will help you write and communicate persuasively:

Little Green Book of Getting Your Way

Advertising Secrets of the Written Word

The Irresistible Offer

Words that Sell

Writing for the web has its own unique rules -- and limitations. How do you master this form of communication and put together powerful web copy? These books can help:

Letting Go of the Words

Killer Web Content

Writing for the Web

Hot Text

Web Copy That Sells

If you're interested in writing about music, these books will give you guidance and inspiration:

A Short Guide to Writing About Music

Best Music Writing 2007

Writing About Music

Writing About Music: An Introductory Guide

Aspire to write about it, not just eat it? These nourishing books will help you satiate your food writing appetite:

Will Write for Food

Best Food Writing 2007

The Wilder Shores of Gastronomy

Remembrance of Things Paris

Beryl Singleton Bissell, whose Backstory we featured on Friday, is the author of the critically acclaimed The Scent of God. We asked her about the books that have most influenced her writing life. She graciously wrote us the following:

I am a huge lover of books and have many favorites, but for inspiration the following have had the greatest impact on my life as a writer.

Interested in writing television scripts for dramas and sitcoms? Before you pack up for Hollywood, check out these books :

Writing TV Sitcoms

Successful Television Writing

Crafty TV Writing: Thinking Inside the Box

The Understructure of Writing for Film and Television