Best Literary History & Criticism Reference Books of 2025

This 75th anniversary edition of Edith Hamilton's Mythology is a must-have for fans of Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. Since its publication in 1942, this book has captivated readers with its timeless tales of gods and heroes. This deluxe, hardcover edition is fully-illustrated with all-new, specially commissioned art, making it a true collector's item. Edith Hamilton's celebrated and bestselling books include Mythology, The Greek Way, The Roman Way, and The Echo of Greece, and this edition is no exception. This book is perfect for anyone looking to discover or rediscover the enchanting world of mythology.

This revised edition of “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” by Thomas C. Foster is a comprehensive guide to understanding the hidden meanings and symbols in literature. Foster uses his expertise as a college professor to teach readers how to analyze texts and identify deeper literary themes and motifs. The book covers a range of topics from narrative devices to literary models and forms. The updated edition includes new chapters and updated teaching points. This book is an essential read for anyone who wants to improve their reading experience and gain a deeper understanding of literature.

The Atlas of Middle-Earth is a must-have for any Tolkien fan. Karen Wynn Fonstad's comprehensive guide to the geography of Middle-earth covers its founding through the Third Age, including the journeys of beloved characters like Bilbo and Frodo. The updated edition includes nearly one third new maps and revised text, making it even more authentic. The atlas features hundreds of two-color maps and diagrams, providing a detailed survey of the principal characters' movements, battles and key locations. With plans and descriptions of castles, buildings, and distinctive landforms, this atlas is a fascinating companion to Tolkien's novels.

The Making of Middle-earth is an in-depth exploration of Tolkien's world, connecting all the threads of influence that infused his creation of Middle-earth. It examines the impact of these works on our modern culture and is fully illustrated, making it accessible but authoritative. Written by Dr. Christopher A. Snyder, it has been reissued with a stunning new cover treatment and updated commentary on new books, films, games, and shows. This book is a must-read for any Tolkien fan, and its updated version makes it even more appealing to both old and new readers.

The Norton Introduction to Literature is a comprehensive guide for students seeking to improve their writing and reading skills. The book offers a broad selection of stories, poems, and plays, including contemporary works to engage modern students. With InQuizitive, Workshops, and an MLA Booklet, the book provides an excellent learning experience for students. The author Kelly J. Mays, a British literature specialist, has done an excellent job of presenting the subject matter in an engaging and informative way. The book is a great resource for literary history and criticism reference books.

This book, titled "Preparing Literature Reviews: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches" by M Ling Pan, is a comprehensive guide that illustrates the steps involved in preparing literature reviews. It emphasizes the importance of topic selection, locating literature, and avoiding major pitfalls in evaluating and synthesizing literature. The book provides easy-to-follow advice on how to avoid misrepresenting the results of published research in literature reviews. The author also shows how to blend qualitative and quantitative approaches to preparing literature reviews without being overly mathematical. This book is an excellent resource for students and researchers alike.

The Outlandish Companion is a must-read for fans of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. The book is a comprehensive guide to the first four novels in the series, including synopses, character lists, family trees, and a glossary of Gaelic terms. In addition, it includes essays on historical fiction, creating characters, and more. Gabaldon even provides professionally cast horoscopes for the beloved characters Jamie and Claire. This revised and updated edition also features behind-the-scenes photos from the Outlander TV series set. Overall, The Outlandish Companion is an essential companion for any Outlander fan.

CliffsNotes on To Kill a Mockingbird is a comprehensive study guide that provides readers with a thorough exploration of Harper Lee's literary masterpiece. The guide offers critical essays, character analyses, and chapter summaries that take readers through Scout Finch's coming of age journey, as well as a section on Harper Lee's life and background. The book also includes a resource center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites. Overall, this guide is an excellent resource for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the novel and its themes.

The Wheel of Time Companion is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series by Robert Jordan. This encyclopedia sheds light on the most intriguing aspects of the world, including character biographies and motivations that never made it into the books. It also includes new maps, portraits, and histories of the nations in the series. The volume is an A-to-Z format and covers everything from the strength level of channelers to the flora and fauna unique to the world. This book is a comprehensive guide to the world of The Wheel of Time and a valuable addition to any fan's collection.

The book "777 And Other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister Crowley: Including Gematria & Sepher Sephiroth" is a unique collection of Qabalistic texts that includes Gematria, 777, and Sepher Sephiroth. It provides essential explanations of theoretical and practical Qabalistic number analysis and philosophy, making it a complete magical and philosophical dictionary. The book is an amazing work whose value has been recognized through many editions since its first appearance in 1909. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in Kabbalah and mysticism.