seanan_mcguire: (princess)
[personal profile] seanan_mcguire
We are now eight days from the release of Late Eclipses [Amazon]|[Mysterious Galaxy]. I've been counting down to the book release with a variety of lists, some directly related to Toby's world, some not. Today is more like a "well, maybe." See, people ask me about my research. And today, I figured I'd acknowledge those questions by listing eight of the reference books I couldn't live without.

Not all of these books are currently in print. I can't stress that enough. I'm not saying "run out and replicate my reference library," I'm saying "these are the books I use." I've provided Amazon links where possible. Enjoy!

8. The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook [Amazon]. The second edition of this book has come out in paperback recently, and it's so, so worth it if you're doing anything with characters who don't have modern American names. I use this book once a story, and sometimes more often. It won't replace the need for independent name research, but it takes a lot of the weight off.

7. An Encyclopedia of Fairies, Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures [Amazon]. Out of print. If the Toby universe has a folklore Bible, this is it. This seminal work by Katharine Briggs was, and is, regarded as the definitive work on fairy lore of its type. I have learned more from reading her footnotes than I learned in some folklore classes. While out of print, used copies are reasonably easy to find. This is a real must for anyone working with European fairy folklore.

6. The Book of Poisons [Amazon]. This is part of the Writer's Digest series about ways for writers to kill people. It's a beautifully put together and researched volume, and while parts of it naturally became out of date while it was still being edited, the historical and natural poison sections are invaluable. Just, ah, don't read it on the airplane.

5. The English and Scottish Popular Ballads [Amazon]. Is this a five-volume set of song lyrics with footnotes and no sheet music? Yes. Yes, it is. Is it an incredible cornerstone in our understanding of the evolution of English and Scottish folklore, and an absolute must for anyone working in those traditions? Yes. Yes, it is. Francis James Child, I salute you.

4. The Wordsworth Dictionary of Phrase and Fable [Amazon]. The Wordsworth reference dictionary collection is one of the most amazing, most frustrating reference sources in the world. They're impossible to find; there's no exhaustive list; even after years of tracking them down, I keep finding titles at used bookstores that I've never heard of before (and need desperately). Despite all that, if there's a Wordsworth in your area of study, get it. They're amazing reference books.

3. The Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology [Amazon]. This book is still in print. It also costs ninety dollars, so unless you're serious about your cryptid reference library, you can probably find cheaper alternatives. That said, I can use this book to kill rattlesnakes, spiders, and possibly home invaders, so it's totally worth it.

2. A Field Guide to the Little People [Amazon]. Nancy Arrowsmith's Field Guide is another of those absolutely priceless references for fairy and folklore, and had I made this list two years ago, I would have needed to add an "out of print" footnote. But not right now! This is a great book, and I'm so thrilled that it's available again.

1. The Monster Spotter's Guide to North America [Amazon]. Is this a serious work of cryptozoology? No. But it can lead you to new research channels, it can suggest cryptids you might want to look into, and it's just plain fun, which makes it a great reference book for the beginner. It's amazing how a fun gateway book can make a dry-as-dirt advanced course worth it.

Happy reading!

Date: 2011-02-21 05:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowsculptor.livejournal.com
I will not buy An Encyclopedia of Fairies. I will not buy An Encyclopedia of Fairies. I will not buy An Encyclopedia of Fairies.

Drat. Okay, maybe I will.

Books. My weakness. But that's ALL I'm gonna buy. For now. :P

Date: 2011-02-21 08:46 pm (UTC)

Date: 2011-02-21 05:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] meko00.livejournal.com
Ooh. I loove reference books! And, mmm, the Wordsworth Phrase & Fable is marvellous indeed. Then again, in my chosen fields, reference is always good.

Looking forward to Toby 4; I ordered it recently, so it ought to come soon. I hope.

Date: 2011-02-21 05:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] meko00.livejournal.com
Also, the Wordsworth English dictionary is fabulous, not the least for its handy format. Though the pseudo phonetic system drives me up the wall.

Date: 2011-02-23 02:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] meko00.livejournal.com
Got an email that it's in the shop to be picked up; I hope to be able to get there tomorrow. Whee!

Date: 2011-02-23 05:05 pm (UTC)

Date: 2011-02-21 05:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] quadrivium.livejournal.com
I love a Field Guide to the Little People! It was an impulse buy years and years ago when I saw it on the $1.00 table at a Books A Million.

Date: 2011-02-22 01:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
Such an awesome book.
(deleted comment)

Date: 2011-02-22 01:32 am (UTC)

Date: 2011-02-21 06:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com
Nice list, thanks! I also use Slang and Euphemism, A Dictionary of Oaths, Curses, Insults, Ethnic Slurs, Sexual Slang and Metaphor, Drug Talk, College Lingo, and Related Matters for when I want to find some good, non-standard insults. Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, An Encyclopedia by Carol Rose has been invaluable, as has Norse Mythology, A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals and Beliefs if you're doing anything Norse.

Date: 2011-02-22 01:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
I have all three of these.

Date: 2011-02-22 03:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com
*nod* I've found them indispensable. I've also got Yeats' Irish Fairy and Folk-tales, Oxford's Celtic Mythology, and Who's Who in Egyptian Mythology.

Date: 2011-02-21 06:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] joncwriter.livejournal.com
Let's see...which WD book do I not have...? They're all wonderful reference books...

I'll have to tempt fate and check out those Wordsworth books...they do look intriguing!

Date: 2011-02-22 01:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
They're truly awesome.

Date: 2011-02-21 06:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fatherofdragons.livejournal.com
This reminds me of a couple of books:

The Dictionary of Angels [Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/DICTIONARY-ANGELS-INCLUDING-FALLEN/dp/002907052X)]. A marvelous, eccentric books with more angels than you could shake a stick at. Did you know there's an angel over fruits and vegetables, for example?

Story Games Name Project [Lulu (http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/story-games-name-project/3594462)]. A list of name lists put together by a bunch of roleplayers. Has Hobo names! A partial PDF is available for free here (http://www.bullypulpitgames.com/projects/names/galleys/SGNP%20-%20First%20Pages.pdf).

Date: 2011-02-21 07:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arielstarshadow.livejournal.com
I love my Dictionary of Angels so much that I actually own two of them - one of which is highlighted all to heck. :)

Date: 2011-02-22 01:33 am (UTC)

Date: 2011-02-22 03:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com
Have you heard of Angels, A through Z? I found it to be pretty good.

Date: 2011-02-21 07:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arielstarshadow.livejournal.com
Oh, look... more books to go in my Amazon cart.

And as you said, Briggs' work (which I own and adore) is fortunately not hard to find even though it's out of print.

Date: 2011-02-22 01:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
For which I am very, very grateful.

Date: 2011-02-21 07:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] trektone.livejournal.com
Unrelated, but I finally got Zombiesque this weekend. Yay!

Gimme a "Z"!

Date: 2011-02-22 02:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dormouse-in-tea.livejournal.com
Oh hey, good place to butt in and say not only did I love "Gimme a Z!", but I'm actually mostly enjoying the anthology so far -- I'm about 2/3 through and only didn't really care for two stories -- so thanks!

Date: 2011-02-22 03:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
Yay! I'm so pleased.

Date: 2011-02-21 07:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] temporus.livejournal.com
Odd, the links for books 1,2 & 3 didn't work for me. (But I just searched on the titles.)

Field Guide happens to have a nice Kindle Edition that I just picked up.

Lastly, I thought you might appreciate the subject of an email I got from Amazon this morning:
Now available: "Late Eclipses (October Daye, Book 4)" by Seanan McGuire on Amazon.com‏

Date: 2011-02-22 01:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
Thanks for the note; I updated the links.

I got that email too! OMG IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!!!!

Date: 2011-02-21 08:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ravenclawed.livejournal.com
I love #8. I've gotten away from writing lately, but I still use it (and The Greatest Baby Name Book Ever) for naming rpg characters.

Speaking of names, do you consider August a good name for a girl character? It seems more like a boy's name to me, since it was named for Augustus Caesar.

Date: 2011-02-22 01:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
I do consider August to be a good girl's name.

Date: 2011-02-22 02:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ravenclawed.livejournal.com
Then it's official, all twelve months make for good girl's names. :-)

Date: 2011-02-22 04:47 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fatherofdragons.livejournal.com
I don't know -- being named February would have some drawbacks, like the weird spelling. But I suppose you could use Ru as a nickname, which wouldn't be too bad.

Date: 2011-02-22 04:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ravenclawed.livejournal.com
Ru would be a good nickname. I was thinking of Feb. I'm sure that a girl named July would have to keep telling people her name's not Julie.

Date: 2011-02-23 12:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] princesselwen.livejournal.com
That's funny. I have a bunch of stories made up (but not written down) about a girl called February. And her friend July. (Though the last was a nickname.)

Date: 2011-02-24 01:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ravenclawed.livejournal.com
That's cool.

Date: 2011-02-21 11:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rhoda-rants.livejournal.com
I've had my eye on The Book of Poisons for months now--thanks for the reminder!

Date: 2011-02-22 01:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
You're welcome!

Date: 2011-02-22 12:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowsync.livejournal.com
Must resist urge to purchase The Book of Poisons. It may raise a few eyebrows if someone around pharmacy school were to glance at that in my bag.

Date: 2011-02-22 01:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
Sad but true.

Date: 2011-02-22 12:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vincentursus.livejournal.com
Fun stuff. ^_^

Somehow I was expecting more in "don't read it on the airplane" category.

Date: 2011-02-22 01:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
Nah, that comes later.

Date: 2011-02-22 12:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hoppytoad79.livejournal.com
8. The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook

Definitely a must-have. I have the first edition and absolutely lovelovelove it because of how many nations and cultures are included.

Date: 2011-02-22 12:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hoppytoad79.livejournal.com
'Deadly Doses' is another good one. It's a Writer's Digest book, so maybe it's The Book of Poisons by another name? *shrug* I love it muchly.

Date: 2011-02-22 01:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
The Book of Poisons is the revised, updated, and expanded version. I have both.

Date: 2011-02-22 01:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com
The second edition is definitely worth it.

Date: 2011-02-22 02:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] groblek.livejournal.com
I used to have #7 - I'm quite sad that is seems to have disappeared in one of my moves. At some point, I should reacquire it.
Also, while poking around online to see if the UCD library has #5, I stumbled on this site http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ It seems to be the text of the set put online - I can't verify this, not having a copy to compare it to, but I thought some people might find it useful.

Date: 2011-02-22 03:46 am (UTC)

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