Perdido St Station is one of those books that builds an incredible world and then can't think what to do in it.

...yes, I'm only responding to the trashy fantasy discussio because I've never read the clever French books. I saw Les Mis once, if it helps. It was pish...

Other significant works of steampunk are K.W. Jeter's Infernal Devices, most of Tim Powers' early work (esp. The Anubis Gates), some of James Blaylock's early work, and possibly Michael Swanwick's The Iron Dragon's Daughter, depending on how flexible you are in your definitions.

I loved The Anubis Gates and pretty much every other Tim Powers book. Does that mean I like steampunk?

Reportedly, Mieville's plotting improves in The Scar and The Iron Council.

I come with pre-formed knowledge of books I've never read. This used to trouble me.

I like The Difference Engine, Plei, but I was annoyed they didn't try for more authentic period language. I also suspect it would have meant more if I'd ever been able to slog through Disraeli's fiction, since the protagonist of one section is Sybil. If recommendation will win out over the convenience of actually owning the book, I'd recommend The Anubis Gates instead, as it's a rip-snorting adventure, which is usually not even My Type of Thing -- but it's done with such enthusiasm and vigor I got swept away anyway.

Oh, I got it: The film version of steampunk is probably Wild, Wild West. Only most of the books in the category don't suck.

Or you could just like Tim Powers.

I'm trying to think of a good Blaylock example that's still in print. Huh.

Powers and Blaylock are friends and have both critiqued each other and written together, so you may find Blaylock worth checking out even in non-steampunk mode, Wolfram. His latest stuff has been moody California ghost stories -- he tends to have a great sense of place and a great sense of whimsy.

Micole, have you read Moorcock's steampunk stuff? The bastable books - set in a Victorian 1973 - are ace.

I liked Secret Garden better than Little Princess -- more magical elements, and the creepiness of the moors was just cool, and I could relate a lot more to Mary than to Sara.

Me too. Mary is pleasingly obnoxious, in a way that feels very real. She is surly and grumpy and not especially happy to be in this weird cold place. Where Sara is just all .. good at heart and cheerful, as far as I remember.

And I loved the Dahl books, especially Matilda. They are sick and twisted, but I really appreciated that as a child. (Still do.)

What do y'all think of Lemony Snicket? I read A Bad Beginning, and found his style irritatingly arch, but I know he's well-regarded.

There was a period where I felt like the series wasn't going anywhere, but now (by book 10!), stuff is finally happening. They're quick reads, and they're clever. I beat up kids at the library so I can check them out first.

but now (by book 10!), stuff is finally happening

Stamina defined!

I loved Powers and Blaylock soooo much when they burst onto the scene. I slowly lost interest in Blaylock, but still think Powers is a genius. It's not steampunk, but On Stranger Tides is cool and mysterious and interesting. Blackbeard! Puppets! Voodoo! Voodoo pirate puppets, and I am NOT making this up.

It's probably out of print, but Blaylock's Homonculus, probably his most steampunky, has an important character who is a street-seller of squid. I love Blaylock's matter-of-fact Surrealism.

I keep meaning to give the Lemony Snicket books another go; I read the first one and liked it, but never picked up any of the others. Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket's alter ego) wrote a book I read a few years back, The Basic Eight, which I liked a lot. And a coworker just gave me another of his books, Watch Your Mouth, which has a review on the back that calls it an "incest-parody gothic Jewish porn opera" or something similarly over-the-top, and I can't help thinking it can't ever live up to that.