Real Simple's Top 20 Reference Books

Find the answers to most of life's little questions in Real Simple's favorite (and most useful) volumes.

Art, Food, Fashion, Language, Medicine

Shown from left to right: 
 
 

Janson's History of Art: The Western Tradition, Seventh Edition, $144

By Penelope J.E. Davies and others. Find everything you need to know about influential art styles in this comprehensive and beautiful volume.

 To buy: amazon.com 
 
 

The New Doubleday Cookbook, $35

By Jean Anderson and Elaine Hanna. Cooking is more than what's in the pot. With nutritional facts, tips for storing food in a pantry, and more than 4,000 recipes, this book has the kitchen covered.

 To buy: amazon.com 
 

A Dedicated Follower of Fashion, $30

By Holly Brubach. In incisive, witty essays she originally wrote for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The New York Times Magazine, journalist Brubach reflects on the social significance of what we wear.

 To buy: amazon.com 
 
 

The Firefly Five Language Visual Dictionary, $50

By Jean-Claude Corbeil and Ariane Archambault. Vivid illustrations draw you into this clever compendium of 35,000 terms translated from English into Spanish, French, Italian, and German.

 To buy: biggerbooks.com.

 

The Merck Manual of Medical Information, Second Home Edition, $8

By Mark H. Beers and others. No home should be without this information-jammed guide, which covers just about every conceivable medical condition, from blisters to the mumps.

 To buy: amazon.com