Self-help books are a dime a dozen, especially books about how to write well. But what makes books on writing particularly unique is they serve as a wonderful illustration of the advice they purport. While it is impossible to narrow the best books on writing down to a select few, the following lists seven titles every aspiring writer ought to have on their bookshelf.

1. The Elements of Style

By William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

This classic text is required reading in most English 101 college courses, and rightly so. The book lays down the foundation of proper English, covering everything from the elementary rules of usage to the principles of composition. Short and concise, The Elements of Style packages a lifetime’s worth of material into fewer than 110 pages, and is the go-to reference book for brushing up on the basics of grammar.

2. The Elements of Journalism

By Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel

Playing off the title of The Elements of Style, Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel’s The Elements of Journalism is a must have for the journalist in the making. In an age of fake news and sensationalism, however, even the most casual newsreader would be well-advised to pick up a copy. In it, Kovach and Rosenstiel highlight the rules that ought to govern any journalist — namely, an unwavering commitment to the truth coupled with an allegiance to the public, the principle of verification, holding the powers that be accountable, among others.

3. The Sense of Style

By Steven Pinker

Harvard College Professor of Psychology explores what makes good writing good and bad writing bad through the lens of a cognitive scientist in The Sense of Style. Throughout the book, Pinker provides examples of where certain authors go awry so as to not repeat the same mistake twice. Distinguishing itself from other writing guides, this text is an excellent expose into how fields like psychology and linguistics can illuminate prose.

4. On Writing

By Stephen King

All hail the King. You don’t have to be a lover of horror to appreciate Stephen King’s On Writing. “I’m not a horror fan, but Stephen King’s On Writing is full of durable wisdom,” former Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Beast, John Avlon, told Writing Routines in an interview. Half memoir, half writing guide, King dives into what drove him to become a writer as well as offers nuggets of wisdom for newcomers to the craft. He also includes a list of some of his favorite reads. An instant classic, On Writing is a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of the world’s most successful and prolific authors.

5. Zen in the Art of Writing

Ray Bradbury

Zen in the Art of Writing consists of 11 essays and poems written by science-fiction author Ray Bradbury over the course of his career. The book reads more like a meditation than a writing guide, touching on the origin of his ideas to sources of inspiration. Bradbury’s love for the craft is infectious and will motivate you to push through the writing process even on the bleakest of days.

6. Bird by Bird

By Anne Lamott

You’d be hard pressed to find a list of book recommendations about writing that didn’t include Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. In an interview with Writing Routines, Benjamin Spall, author of Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired, described it as “beautifully written, full of great advice, and well worth the hype.” Similar to King’s On Writing, Lamott’s Bird by Bird consists of part memoir, part writing guide, in which she recapitulates with candor her childhood, the joys and struggles of writing, being a single mom, addiction and more. She also offers salient advice on overcoming obstacles every writer faces, such as self-doubt. An instant best-seller, Bird by Bird is a book you won’t want to put down.

7. On Writing Well

By William Zinsser

“William Zinsser’s On Writing Well is a classic,” author Eric Barker told Writing Routines in an interview, and he isn’t the first. This perennial read is geared specifically toward non-fiction writers, and provides a solid bedrock for writing competently and authoritatively about practically anything and everything. As a veteran journalist and teacher, Zinsser touches on how to cover a range of beats, including the arts, business, biography, sports, humor, travel, science and technology. With over 1.5 million copies sold, On Writing Well is a timeless piece that you can visit over and over.