GS Intro, 1-7

I think a more appropriate title for this book would be, "How to Become a Grammar Snob Like Me, June Casagrande". She seems to come across as a grammar know-it-all and has an "I am never wrong" mentality when it comes to her writing. She is like the God of Grammar Snobs. Especially on page 18 when she says, "You don't need to know that..." blah blah blah and "You absolutely don't need to know that..." blah blah blah. It's like she's saying, "Let me demonstrate my deeply extensive (and snobbish) knowledge of the subject. Bow at my feet. Now here is a simplified, layman's explanation of the subject for you."

That being said, I do think this book gives a refreshing and funny view on an otherwise boring subject. The titles of the chapters are pretty funny and while some of her jokes inside the chapters aren't so humorous, at least she tries to make grammar contemporary and "cool."

Despite her snobbishness and sometimes bad jokes, I think this is a valuable resource for writers, students, teachers, etc. because it addresses grammar issues that people don't really think about and that aren't taught in school. For instance, I really found the Lie/Lay chapter interesting because I had never been taught how to properly use the different forms. It is a problem that I have run across in my own writing so I'm sure that many others have had problems with it, as well. She explains things clearly and with examples so that anyone reading it (not just English majors!) can understand. 

I feel like such a nerd for saying this, but I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book. She explains grammar issues that I haven't been beat over the head with. (Yes, I just ended that sentence with a preposition.) It reads really fast, too. It's a lot lot lot better than Pipher's attempt...