Nihongo Notes 2: Expressing Oneself in Japanese

The "Nihongo Notes" series of books are a compilation of "Japan Times" columns about the Japanese language that deal with specific conversations and situations; for example, how to start a business discussion, how to develop and conclude discussions, and how to make requests and criticize others. Examples of actual discussions, polite and informal, are included, as well as several examples of common [and often amusing] mistakes; but this is not just a common phrase book: each entry is given a two-page explanation of usage. "Nihongo Notes" assumes some familiarity with Japanese vocabulary and grammar, but I found this series extremely useful to even a complete self-taught beginner like myself.