s/t: An Encyclopedia of World Literature and the Arts Reference book on the symbols, movements, genres, characters & individuals found in Arts & Literature--as well as disciplines which are effected, or are alluded to, in these fields.
The book that helped me function as an English major, although no matter how many times I read the definition of postmodernism, I couldn't fully explain it in my own words. This book taught me the endless pleasure of the "see also" reference, looping from word to word, concept to concept...making it quite hard to return to whatever paper topic was originally at hand!
I move this to the "read" section even though this is a source that one will never finish!
I love this book. I've had it for years and years, and it's still the first place I go to look literary things up (if I'm not at my computer). Hilariously, the entry on Joseph Smith isn't quite right (they've got Smith Sr. discovering the plates).
I just rediscovered this book while in the midst of cataloging. I had misplaced in my husband's room/den where it has been languishing. It has now been resurrected. Hope I will find it as useful as I used to.