While the presidential nominating conventions are in full swing, here are some readings on the fine art of political spin and doubletalk.

Unspeak

Weasel Words

Talking Right

What Orwell Didn't Know

It's Bulwer-Lytton Contest time! Catch up on "the funniest opening sentences from the worst novels never written."

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

Son of It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

Bride of Dark and Stormy

Dark and Stormy Rides Again

Continuing the cross-cultural Olympic spirit, here are a few books about Chinese language and writing that help separate myth from reality.

Chinese Language: Fact and Fantasy

Speaking of Chinese

Ideogram

Doing research, scholarly or otherwise, increasingly requires acumen with online resources. Here are some books to help sharpen your Internet search skills.

Librarian's Guide to Online Searching

The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook

Mastering Online Research

Internet Research Skills

The technique of mass collaboration pioneered 150 years ago by the Oxford English Dictionary is now all the rage in our wikified world.

The Wisdom of Crowds

Here Comes Everybody

Wikinomics

Infotopia

If you're thinking of putting your life story on the page, these books can help guide your autobiographical endeavors.

Old Friend from Far Away

Inventing the Truth

Writing the Memoir

Your Life as Story

David Crystal is one of the most prolific writers on the English language. Despite his amazing productivity, the quality of his work never suffers. Here are a few of his latest must-reads.

By Hook or By Crook

Think on my Words

The Fight for English

How Language Works