While You Are Waiting ~ Books To Read While Gail Types

It's looking to be a busy summer, too busy, Gentle Reader. I thought you might like some suggestions on what to read while I'm typing because every spare moment is going to be spent typing.

Speaking of which I just handed in the second Finishing School book, Deportment & Deceit, and I'm already starting in on the first Parasol Protectorate Abroad book, Prudence. It's research and outlining time over here in Nor Cal.

So these first books are one's I have read and can personally vouch for, and then I included a few suggestions from the fan group on Facebook who have been engaging in a lively discussion on the matter over the last few months. All links are to Amazon because I am lazy.

If You Love the Fantasy Take on Historical Tropes

• M.K. Hobson ~ The Native Star (gaslight fantasy: read Gail's review here)
• Wrede & Stevermer ~ Sorcery and Cecelia (gaslight fantasy)
• Patricia Wrede ~ Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One (YA fantasy comedy)
• Barbara Hambly ~ Stranger at the Wedding (fantasy)
• Diana Wynne Jones ~ Howl's Moving Castle (YA fantasy comedy)

If You Just Want to Laugh

• P.G. Wodehouse ~ Laughing Gas (comedy: highly recommended on audiobook)
• Jerome K. Jerome ~ Three Men in a Boat (comedy: highly recommended on audiobook)
• Jasper Fforde ~ The Eyre Affair (surreal fantasy comedy)
• Gerald Durrell ~ My Family and Other Animals (comedy non fiction)
• James Herriot ~ All Creatures Great and Small (non fiction)
• Terry Pratchett ~ Mort (comedy fantasy)
• Douglas Adams ~ The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (surreal mystery comedy)

If You Want A Strong but Well Rounded Female Heroine

• Stella Gibbons ~ Cold Comfort Farm (comedy)
• Feist & Wurts ~ Daughter of the Empire (political epic fantasy)
• Claudia J. Edwards ~ Taming the Forest King (epic fantasy)
• Nicole Peeler ~ Tempest Rising (urban fantasy: read Gail's review here.)
• Tamora Pierce ~ The Song of the Lioness series (YA epic fantasy)
• Tanya Huff ~ Valor series (military space opera)

A Small Sample Recommended by the Parasol Protectorate Facebook Group

Full listing here.
(Gail has grouped to the best of her ability)

Urban Fantasy

• Mercy Thompson series by Patrica Briggs (First book: Moon Called)
• Carpathian series by Christine Feehan
• Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill
• Dead Iron by Devon Monk
• Demon series by Diana Rowland
• Red Death: Being the First Book in the Adventures of Jonathan Barrett, Gentleman Vampire by P.N. Elrod

Steampunk

• All Men of Genius by Lev AC Rosen
• The Society of Steam series by Andrew P. Mayer
• Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
• Empire State by Adam Christopher
• Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
• Newbury & Hobbes series by George Mann
• Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore (graphic novel)
• Girl Genius (online comic and graphic novel)

Other

• Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters (mystery)
• Green Rider books by Kristen Britain (fantasy)
• Cold Magic (The Spiritwalker Trilogy) by Kate Elliott (gaslight fantasy)
• Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore (humor)
• Vatta's Warseries by Elizabeth Moon (space opera)

Want to see more? Full listing here. Want to add to the discussion? Please, join the Facebook Group.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .


Your Infusion of Cute . . .


Your Tisane of Smart . . .


Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
7 Tricks to Write More with Less Willpower

PROJECT ROUND UP
Deportment & Deceit ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Third draft handed in to editor, awaiting edits.
Etiquette & Espionage ~ Finishing School Book the First: Release date Feb 5, 2013. Working promo schemes.
Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 2: (AKA Changeless) First chapter reviewed, drops on YenPlus April 12th. Print release tentatively Dec. 2012.
Timeless ~ Parasol Protectorate Book the Last. Out now!
Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Release date Fall 2013.

BIG FAT SPOILER ALERT on the Parasol Protectorate series! Really, DON'T READ THE BLURB ON AMAZON if you haven't read the other books first!

The Omnibus hardback editions are limited run through the SciFi Bookclub only.

The manga editions, Vol. available in print, Vol. 2 by subscription to YenPlus.

Most short stories available in ebook form world wide!

The first Finishing School book ~ Not yet Released

Book News:
Timeless Reviews

• Gizmo reviews Timeless some spoilers.
• And bookish reviews without.
• Fyrefly is mainly amused.
• My Quirky City approves of the parenting choices.
• Lit Addicted Brit considers in a solid ending.
• Giles likes the whole series
• Steamed!

Quote of the Day:
"The best of a book is not the thought which it contains, but the thought which it suggests; just as the charm of music dwells not in the tones but in the echoes of our hearts."
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes