Understanding Basic Japanese Grammar by ALC Press

If you don't already have the Japanese grammar dictionaries by Seiichi Makino (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced) then I highly suggest you get them.  The quality of the explanations and definitions are unrivaled, and it gives excellent insight into the difference between similar grammar terms.

Personally, I've learned a great deal of grammar by just picking up those dictionaries, turning to a random page, and learning the grammar points bit by bit.  Since you say you like formal classes, this sort of piecemeal approach may not be for you, though.  I personally prefer classes too (I need the push), but over time I've picked up tons of grammar that way.

Again, is it an ideal main approach?  No, probably not, but it's a great supplementary approach, and you'll want the dictionaries around when you get to the higher level textbooks-- they really don't provide good grammar explanations, even in Japanese.

If you're already at Intermediate Level, I would recommend
"Making Sense of Japanese" by Jay Rubin. It's the best book of it's kind.

It teaches you to think like a Japanese person and helps you to
figure out what Japanese people really mean when use specific
pieces of grammar.

It's very good at answering all your questions about Japanese that
people tend to shrug their shoulders or are unable to explain.

The "wa vs. ga" chapter is worth the price of the book alone.

Lastly, I also like "Basic Connections: Making Your Japanese Flow".

Last edited by chamcham (2008 June 21, 9:20 am)

Any advice on where to pick up the "Yellow Book" (A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar)? Amazon only has it used.

I just ordered two new textbooks from TheJapanesePage shop and they were shipped promptly, not to mention the prices were, compared to other stores, VERY reasonable.