Are you sure you shouldn't be teaching the course instead?
I picked up The Night Sky Observer's Guide, Volumes 1 and 2 by George Robert Kepple & Glen W. Sanner. What sold me on these tomes were the pictures of many of the objects instead of just listings and an addresses. This way I know if it's something of possible interest. Like finding a black book with stars and phone numbers AND pictures of the girls!
Besides; I find looking at dot drawings confusing and rarely look like what is in the eye piece. When it's dark, you're tired, you've forgotten two things you really needed and home is three hours away you don't need the refrence guide stressing you out. It should be so easy to read even I can make sense of it if I'm suffering from an attitude.
Speaking of text books: Galaxy Formation by Malcom S. Longair Published by Springer is a very good book. I'd even take the class if they would let me off work (those kinds of classes are strictly daytime - go figure).