In your studies of literature, it's helpful to have some background in literary theory. These books should provide a starting point...
1. Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism
by Vincent B. Leitch (Editor). W.W. Norton & Company. This volume presents a comprehensive collection of literary theory and criticism, starting with the classical rhetoric of Plato and Aristotle. The 30-page introduction provides a helpful overview to the history of literary schools and movements, but you'll also find headnotes, bibliographies, and annotations.
2. Literary Theory: An Anthology
by Julie Rivkin (Editor), and Michael Ryan (Editor).
Blackwell Pub. Rivkin and Ryan breaks the book up into 10 categories: "Formalisms," "Structuralism and Linguistics," "Psychoanalysis," "Marxism," "Feminism," "Historicisms," and more.
3. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature
by Wilfred L. Guerin, Earle G. Labor, Lee Morgan, Jeanne C. Reesman, and John Willingham. Oxford University Press. This book explains how to interpret literature, using critical approaches. In the first chapter, the writers say, "Whatever the reason, many students not innately hostile to literature may well have come to despise it..."4. Beginning Theory
by Peter Barry. Manchester University Press. This book offers explanations of 11 types of theoretical thoughts, with examples and study questions. You'll also find a reading list for further study.5. Literary Theory: An Introduction
by Terry Eagleton. University of Minnesota Press. This work is "designed to cover all of the major movements in literary studies," according to the cover of this book.6. Critical Theory Today
by Lois Tyson. Garland Publishing. Tyson offers an introduction to feminism, psychoanalysis, Marxism, reader-response theory, and much more. The author also provides interpretation of "The Great Gatsby," utilizing the various theoretical tenets.7. Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction
by Michael Ryan. Blackwell Pub. The back cover says, "The book is ideal for use in introductory courses on literary theory and criticism. It contains accessible accounts of each theoretical approach, and it demonstrates how the same classic texts can be read differently from different theoretical perspectives."8. Falling Into Theory
by David H. Richter. St. Martin's Press. Chapters include: "Why We Read," What We Have Loved, Others Will Love," "Disliking Books at an Early Age," "The Rise of English," "Teaching Culture," "The Death of the Author," "The Literary Imagination," and more.9. Critical Encounters in High School English: Teaching Literary Theory
by Deborah Appleman. Teachers College Press. This book offers approaches to teaching literary theory in the high school classroom. Appleman writes, "We live in dangerous and complicated times and no one is more aware of it than our teenagers... How do we help them negotiate these treacherous times?"10. Feminisms: An Anthology of Literary Theory and Criticism
This volume collects 58 essays from various feminist critical perspectives, including chapters: "Women and Madness: The Critical Phallacy," "Infection in the Sentence," "A Mindless Man-driven Theory Machine," "Confinements," "What Has Never Been," "Dancing Through the Minefield," and many more.