None of us can remember everything we're taught, so we rely on reference books. For the person learning Spanish, the difference between a good reference book and a bad one is the difference between the joy of learning and the frustration of becoming even more confused. The right book can supplement your classroom or textbook learning, helping you understand concepts or words that may otherwise be obscure.

Grammar Guides
Above all else, a grammar guide should at a level suitable for the person who will be using it. Too advanced, and the book can be confusing; too simple, and the book has little value. The better grammar guides cover a wide range of topics, distinguish between Latin American and Peninsular Spanish, are organized well and explain both colloquial and formal usage. At the advanced level, a more recent book is usually preferable to an older one, due to continuing changes in the Spanish language.

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Spanish-English Dictionaries
The key to selecting a dictionary is to know what it will be used for. For casual use, for first-year students, and for basic travel needs, a dictionary with 40,000 translations might be sufficient. But for advanced students, for study, or for full comprehension of written materials, look for a dictionary that includes at least 100,000 translations. Many dictionaries also include basic guides to grammar, verb conjugation and pronunciation.

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