I have several books which I reread at least once a year. These are books that I want to make part of me.
My favorite? The Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E.B. White.
Just consider two of the directives in the first chapter ( and this book gives directives, not advice or guidelines—one of the things I appreciate about this book):
16. Use definite, specific, concrete language.
17. Omit needless words.
These aren’t just commandments for writing; they are commandments for living one’s life well.
Eight-four pages without any waffling—certainly worth a few hours of my time each year!
(And yes, both Mr. Strunk and Mr. White would read the last sentence and instructive me to find a better word than waffling and to change the exclamation point to a period.)