This list should not be seen as prescriptive or exhaustive. Any reading - if it is carried out thoughtfully and attentively – is valuable for an English student and the most important thing is to read literature that interests and excites you. Below are some suggestions of works of criticism and theory – as well as studies of context - that will help extend and enrich your learning at A Level.

The English Faculty Blog

https://jcgenglishblog.wordpress.com/ 

Works of general interest 

• Terry Eagleton, How to Read Literature
• Terry Eagleton, How to Read a Poem
• Jonathan Culler, Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction
• Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle, Literature, Criticism and Theory
• Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle, This Thing Called Literature

Wider reading for all aspects of ‘love through the ages’:

• Stephen Siddall and Mary Ward (ed.), The Truth About Love Julia Geddes and Helen Ince (ed.), Love Through the Ages

Wider reading for all aspects of ‘modern times’:

• Steve Padley, Key Concepts in Contemporary Literature
• Caroline Merz, Post-War Literature: 1945 to the Present Day

Wider reading for all aspects of Gothic literature (NEA)

• Nick Groom, The Gothic: A Very Short Introduction
• Sue Chaplin, Gothic Literature

A useful website

• The website of the Norton Anthology of English Literature contains a wealth of textual extracts, contextual information and introductory critical material on the historical sweep of English literature.