Concise writing and clear illustrations complemented with excellent real-world examples make this book a must-have reference on typographic elements for print and digital designers.

A good overview on the history of typography, legibility, and book design. More relevant to graphic than web designers, but it is still an informative read on typographic design.

An intriguing history of the development of the English language. Ostler traces back to key figures including Noah Webster, Lindley Murray, Robert Lowth, and William Bentley Fowle who played the major roles in shaping the usage of language. From controversies to rules to criticisms, Founding Grammars is a delightful and informing read on the wars on words.

An approachable and practical guide to web animation. The explanations are clear and the examples are useful. With easy-to-implement CSS techniques, this book will teach you how to apply simple motion to your website’s interface and interaction in no time.

With 10 principles, 14 tricks, and 149 combinations, Seddon’s Type Team is a quick and handy guide for mixing and complementing typefaces. Although showcasing types at large sizes make the visual layouts look attractive, body text should have been included in the specimens. Nevertheless, the wide range of selections with short explainations make it a decent reference for choosing and combining types.

In this brilliant guide, Lea Verou unveils the rare power of CSS that lets designers create stunning visual effects beyond the popular elements. With her extensive knowledge of CSS and her clarity in technical explanation, Verou provides practical solutions that are easy to achieve with just a few lines of CSS. Even though I personally don’t use many of the techniques, such as complex background patterns and drop shadows, they help me understand what CSS can accomplish without the need for JavaScript. CSS Secrets is a must-have reference for web designers and developers.

A brief history of How Typography Happens in Britain, America, Germany, and France. McLean’s lectures complemented with illustrations of book cover provide an informing overview of typographic design.

Patricia O’Conner, the author of Woe Is I, and her partner in crime Stewart Kellerman debunk the misconceptions of words and usage that are often misunderstood in the English language. The book is both an intriguing and informative read. I particularly enjoyed the origins of “shit,” “fuck,” and “niggardly.” The only word I wish they have covered is “motherfucker.”

In addition to its superb jazz catalog, Blue Note Records, as illustrated in the official story of the label, produced some of most striking and distinctive album covers in the history of jazz. The work of Reid Miles, in particular, used bold typography and stunning photography. The visual richness of the 400-page hardcover makes up for its lacking of critical assessment.

Fogarty’s book is not a complete grammar reference, but it does provide tips to help you overcome the tricky grammar usages. Her explanations are clear and to the point. Furthermore, she has done all the research for us and provides us the ones that are best to apply to our own writing. Surprisingly I understood most (if not all) the tips in the book, and yet I still struggle with grammar when I write. I need to try her proofreading method of reading my work backward.