Great for summaries and background information books are a reliable, easy to understand source. Most of the books for English Literature can be found on the 4th Floor of the Library.
Use your module reading list to find books recommended by your lecturer. Find the link on the module site on Blackboard or via the link below.
Alternatively search for a specific book or books on a topic using the Enterprise catalogue (search box below).
These series, such as the Arden, New Cambridge and Shakespeare editions, are considered a scholarly edition of a work and sometimes have lengthy and useful introductions.
Arden Shakespeare / New Cambridge Shakespeare / Oxford Shakespeare
Reputable critical editions of Shakespeare’s texts with scholarly annotations, recommended by the School of English and American Literature
Blackwell companions to literature and culture
A well established series of critical works, covering major themes and genres in literature.
Cambridge Companions
Introductions to major writers, topics and periods.
Available online, many are available in print in the Library too. Search the Enterprise catalogue (above,) for "cambridge companions" to find these.
Early English Text Society series
820.6-EAR
A useful series for scholarly editions of primary texts
Middle English texts
820.8-MID
A useful series for scholarly editions of primary texts
Oxford History of English Literature
820.9-OXF
Important series of historical and critical writing covering different literary periods
Renaissance English Text Society series
Reproductions and translations of significant non-dramatic writings in English from the period 1475-1660
For the latest information on specific topics use journal articles.
For quick access to articles available to students at Reading search Summon for your topic using the box below.
Explore further using these key resources for your subject:
This resource covers a wide range of literary topics including full-text access to books and poetry, literary criticism and author biographies.
Archive of journal articles covering most subjects.
Please read the JSTOR terms and conditions of use before accessing JSTOR. You may not download an entire issue of a journal from the JSTOR database or keep multiple electronic or paper copies of any article. You may not alter or distribute any Content, including but not limited to transmission via email to another computer.
References to publications covering literature, language, linguistics and folklore worldwide.
Access to articles in over 500 journal titles in arts, humanities and social sciences.
