10 Best Writing Books
We analyzed 5+ expert sources, curated book lists, and recommendations from successful people to find the 10 best writing books according to the internet — not just one person's opinion. Each book on this list was mentioned by at least two independent sources, and the ranking is based on how frequently each title appears across all sources studied. This consensus-based approach ensures you get recommendations backed by multiple experts, not a single reviewer's bias.
Goal: Find the best Writing books according to the internet (not just one person's opinion).
Method:
- Search for "best writing books" and study the top 5+ pages.
- Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
- Rank the results neatly here.
10 Best Writing Books
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On Writing
A Memoir of the Craft
Also recommended by
4 people
Jason Calacanis recommended this bookJason Calacanis
"Got me jazzed up about writing and reading more." - Jason Calacanis
Jason Calacanis's recommendation of this book 
Brian Koppelman recommended this bookBrian Koppelman
"Still the gold standard." - Brian Koppelman
Brian Koppelman's recommendation of this book 
Edgar Wright recommended this bookEdgar Wright
Edgar Wright recommended this book on Twitter.
Edgar Wright's recommendation of this book 
Russell Moore recommended this bookRussell Moore
"Really helpful." - Russell Moore
Russell Moore's recommendation of this book
Bird by Bird
Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Also recommended by
10 people
Tim Ferriss recommended this bookTim Ferriss
"Fantastic book." - Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss's recommendation of this book 
Daniel Pink recommended this bookDaniel Pink
"One of the greatest things ever." - Daniel Pink
Daniel Pink's recommendation of this book 
Susan Cain recommended this bookSusan Cain
"I love [this book]. Such a good book." - Susan Cain
Susan Cain's recommendation of this book 
Ryan Holiday recommended this bookRyan Holiday
"Ostensibly about the art of writing, but really it too is about life and how to tackle the problems, temptations and opportunities life throws at us." - Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday's recommendation of this book 
Matt Mullenweg recommended this bookMatt Mullenweg
"I love reading about writers and the process of writing." - Matt Mullenweg
Matt Mullenweg's recommendation of this book 
Ramit Sethi recommended this bookRamit Sethi
Ramit Sethi mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Ramit Sethi's recommendation of this book +4
More recommendations
- Brian Koppelman
"Great." - Brian Koppelman
- Mark Bittman
"A really great writing book and it’s a good read." - Mark Bittman
- Mike Birbiglia
"I really like [this book]." - Mike Birbiglia
- Matt Haig
"My go-to gift or recommendation for anyone interested in writing, though it is as much a treatise on life as it is a creative-writing primer." - Matt Haig
- Brian Koppelman
On Writing Well
An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
Also recommended by
4 people- Tim Ferriss recommended this book
Tim Ferriss
"I have read this book more than a dozen times, more often for thinking than for writing." - Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss's recommendation of this book - Matt Mullenweg recommended this book
Matt Mullenweg
"I love reading about writers and the process of writing." - Matt Mullenweg
Matt Mullenweg's recommendation of this book 
Derek Sivers recommended this bookDerek Sivers
"Great blunt advice about writing better non-fiction. So inspiring." - Derek Sivers
Derek Sivers's recommendation of this book 
Jodie Cook recommended this bookJodie Cook
"A fascinating exploration of writing for different genres." - Jodie Cook
Jodie Cook's recommendation of this book
The Elements of Style
Also recommended by
3 people
Tobi Lütke recommended this bookTobi Lütke
"[My] most frequently gifted book is [this book] because I like good writing." - Tobi Lütke
Tobi Lütke's recommendation of this book 
Kara Swisher recommended this bookKara Swisher
"I reread it every year. It’s a great book." - Kara Swisher
Kara Swisher's recommendation of this book 
Bill Nye recommended this bookBill Nye
"This is my guide. I accept that I’ll never write anything as good as the introductory essay by [the author]. It’s brilliant." - Bill Nye
Bill Nye's recommendation of this book
The War of Art
Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Also recommended by
16 people
Joe Rogan recommended this bookJoe Rogan
"A great book about harnessing creativity." - Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan's recommendation of this book 
Lex Fridman recommended this bookLex Fridman
"Beautiful book." - Lex Fridman
Lex Fridman's recommendation of this book 
Aubrey Marcus recommended this bookAubrey Marcus
"One of the most influential books in my life." - Aubrey Marcus
Aubrey Marcus's recommendation of this book - Ryan Holiday recommended this book
Ryan Holiday
One of Ryan Holiday's 2 answers to "what book are you most likely to give out as a gift?"
Ryan Holiday's recommendation of this book 
Seth Godin recommended this bookSeth Godin
Seth Godin mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Seth Godin's recommendation of this book - Brian Koppelman recommended this book
Brian Koppelman
"Talks about resistance." - Brian Koppelman
Brian Koppelman's recommendation of this book +10
More recommendations
- Marie Forleo
"The essential no-bullshit guide for anyone who battles self-doubt or struggles to bring any important project to life." - Marie Forleo
- Daniel Pink
"I have [a little sign] on my desk here that says, 'Beat the resistance.' So, I’ve given [this book] out a lot too." - Daniel Pink
- Derek Sivers
"Are you a writer who doesn’t write, a painter who doesn’t paint, an entrepreneur who never starts a venture? Then you know what “Resistance” is. This book is about that. Read it." - Derek Sivers
- Soman Chainani
"Half drill sergeant, half Zen voodoo master, [the author] shot me out of my stupor and taught me the meaning of creative discipline." - Soman Chainani
- Russell Moore
"About showing up and not waiting for inspiration to hit." - Russell Moore
- Jen Sincero
"Read this thing if you want to blast past your fears and insecurities and resistance to being your biggest, badassiest self." - Jen Sincero
- Jodie Cook
"This book is a sharp reality check for every artist. It will help you become unblocked, right now and possibly forever." - Jodie Cook
- Danny Miranda
"Odds of re-reading: close to 100%." - Danny Miranda
- James Clear
"[One of] the 10 best nonfiction books of all-time." - James Clear
- Michael Hyatt
Michael Hyatt recommended this book on his website.
- Marie Forleo
The Artist's Way
Morning Pages Journal
Also recommended by
3 people- Tim Ferriss recommended this book
Tim Ferriss
"Nearly every morning, I sit down with a hot cocktail of turmeric, ginger, pu-erh tea, and green tea. Next, I crack open [this book]." - Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss's recommendation of this book - Brian Koppelman recommended this book
Brian Koppelman
"The closest thing to magic I’ve come across. That if you really do it every day in a real disciplined practice, something happens to your subconscious that allows you to get your most creative place." - Brian Koppelman
Brian Koppelman's recommendation of this book 
Russell Brand recommended this bookRussell Brand
"I love it. A practical, spiritual, nurturing book." - Russell Brand
Russell Brand's recommendation of this book
The Writing Life
Also recommended by
2 people
Patrick O'Shaughnessy recommended this bookPatrick O'Shaughnessy
"My favorite book about writing." - Patrick O'Shaughnessy
Patrick O'Shaughnessy's recommendation of this book - Russell Moore recommended this book
Russell Moore
"If you're one of those people gifted to writing, this will give you motivation." - Russell Moore
Russell Moore's recommendation of this book
Story
Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting
Also recommended by
1 person
Rolf Potts recommended this bookRolf Potts
Rolf Potts recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Rolf Potts's recommendation of this book
Writing Down the Bones
Freeing the Writer Within
Also recommended by
1 person- Tim Ferriss recommended this book
Tim Ferriss
"A great book." - Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss's recommendation of this book
Big Magic
Creative Living Beyond Fear
Sources
- 1
Ten of the Best Books for Writers - The Creative Life
thecreativelife.net
- 2
18 Of The Very Best Writing Books Of All Time
becomeawritertoday.com
- 3
The 5 Best Books on Writing — Turner Stories
turnerstories.com
- 4
The 12 Best Books on Writing I've Ever Read - Jerry Jenkins
jerryjenkins.com
- 5
Essential Books for Writing | The Center for Fiction
centerforfiction.org
Edited by
Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.
Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.
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