Honeycutt, author of the syndicated Grammar Guy column, pairs grammar lessons with self-help tips in this amusing guide. He dispels common grammatical pitfalls—when an apostrophe is apt, the use of hyphens when writing about age, how to use who and whom—and makes lessons memorable through quirky anecdotes and whimsical suggestions, such as directions on how to obtain one’s own private island. (He suggests planting a flag on any island you’d like to have and referring to “article 19 of the Magna Carta.”) His Captain Hook joke will lay to rest when to use bad versus badly: “Would Captain Hook make a good masseuse? No, because Captain Hook feels badly. And he probably feels pretty bad about that.” In a chapter on using proper grammar to succeed at business, Honeycutt suggests using power verbs and speaking in active voice. Elsewhere, fictional characters serve as grammarians, such as Batman and Robin’s opinion of bad usage like irregardless and “worst words” like diphthong, and goiter. While Honeycutt’s life advice ends up being less than practical (“invent your own jargon” and “get promoted”), his memorable grammar examples will help readers be better prepared to speak and write confidently. Those who can’t be bothered with another dry grammar guide owe it to themselves to give this a look. (Self-published)