SOLVED. Urban Fantasy/Magic - reference book-esque. [s]

[Leo]

Saw the book in my old HS library, so I no longer have access to it. The actual plot escapes me but it was a rather large book with a black cover. It has to do with magic and there being a 'society' of sorts that have magic, though I think it's more 'only rich people have magic' sort of deal. The actual writing reminds me of an reference book(?). When a new 'term' or specific date mentioned, there would be footnotes on the bottom of the page with information about some sort of magic war or figure

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Around what year did you see it?

[Leo]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Around what year did you see it?"
I personally saw the book last year, but since it was a school library, i'm not sure how old it is

[Melanti]

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

[Leo]

Melanti wrote: "Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell"
THANK YOU!!

[Melanti]

You're welcome. An excellent book!

When I was reading it, I bookmarked one of the pages that was 99% footnotes in that minuscule font, and anytime someone commented on how long it looked, I'd say "I know! And look how tiny the font is! Then show them the footnote page. It was a lot of fun to watch their faces.