I am often asked what books and websites I recommend about grammar. So here are some of my favourite authors and websites. This list excludes more academic writers.
Kate Burridge: her books include Blooming English: Observations on the roots, cultivation and hybrids of the English language. What I like about her writing is that she debunks several plain language tenets such as the active voice is better than the passive.
David Crystal: his books include The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. He’s a very influential and entertaining writer about how language works.
Mignon Fogarty: creator of Grammar Girl, her books include Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips™ for Better Writing. Her work has helped make grammar appear more accessible
Graham King: his books include Collins Good Grammar. I like his commonsense approach to writing and grammar.
Margaret McKenzie: Australian Handbook for Writers and Editors: Grammar, usage & punctuation. A practical grammar book with exercises.
Pam Peters: The Cambridge Australian English Style Guide. A useful reference book that I refer to often.
Style guides
The Associated Press Stylebook, Perseus Books, Philadelphia, 2009.
Style Manual: For authors, editors and printers, 6th edn, John Wiley & Sons, Canberra, 2002. (The Australian Commonwealth style manual)
The Economist magazine, Style Guide, 10th edn, Profile Books Ltd, London, 2010.
The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edn, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2010.
If you live in Australia or New Zealand, Style Manual should be your first pick. It is a fantastic resource.
Websites
www.onlinewritingtraining.com.au (my online programs)
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors//